Chevrolet Bolt EUV and EV – It's a Small World After All [Update]

In launching the Bolt EUV and EV, leave it up to Chevrolet and Disney’s Imagineers to spin a pretty good tale. Nick Cho, the creator of TikTok, better known as YourKoreanDad, was the host of their launch video.

Cho tells us Chevrolet is debuting Super Cruise for what it claims is the first true hands-free driver assistance feature for compatible roads, which I am told is different than what is available now on Cadillacs. Are compatible roads going to be like those shown at Disney World, with all the Bolt EUVs heading in the same direction, evenly spaced, without any cross-traffic? The only ride more hands-free than Super Cruise is Disneyland’s Autopia.

The energy feature on the myChevrolet app lets you know if the next charging station is going to be beyond the estimated 250-mile range Chevrolet was able to achieve. As Dalya Aboona, Chevrolet’s EV charging specialist said, “The app will take into consideration the weather and driving terrain, to help give you an accurate estimation of your range, and the time you will arrive at your destination.”

Range anxiety will vanish, Chevrolet contends, as more fast chargers are installed. Our readers questioned why there are different chargers, rather than one standard, just as there’s only one gas nozzle size regardless of who built the pump? Are we less concerned about running out of gas than we are getting to a charging station we can use? Could it be because AAA doesn’t list electricity as a roadside assist that they can provide?

The Star Wars analogy has an X-Wing fighter pulling alongside, and the Bolt driver hitting the Sport mode button, instantly propelling them into hyperspace. What the Bolt EUV does have is a permanent magnetic drive, 200-horsepower motor with 266 lb-ft of torque under the hood. One-pedal driving doesn’t require you to apply the brakes, even though there’s a disclaimer that said to use the brake pedal if you need to stop urgently. This requires you to make a split-second decision to brake or not if your Bolt hasn’t already. Regen on Demand stores energy when you come to stop, although to what extent wasn’t made clear.

Available this summer, the 2022 Bolt EUV starts at $33,995, and the EV is priced at $31,995. Readers noted that the EV is $5,500 less expensive than the current Bolt. Chevrolet will also pay for the installation of level two charging with the purchase of either vehicle, something I didn’t elaborate upon previously because it seemed more confusing than anything.

For those who are curious what Chevrolet is offering, here’s their quote in its entirety: “Offer available to eligible customers who purchase a 2022 Bolt EV or EUV between 2/14/21 and 6/31/21. Home charging installation promotion includes purchase and installation of a 240V outlet (NEMA 14–50 outlet and new 40-amp breaker in existing panel) from a GM selected vendor. Installation must be located at Customer’s primary residence as reported on the Customer’s vehicle purchase order. Additional costs to the Customer may apply. Customers who do not meet parameters for a standard installation may be eligible for alternative charging offers. Additional information and limitations, including but not limited to, how to take advantage of this promotion, will be available closer to the start of production of 2022 Bolt EV and EUV.” A specific dollar amount being offered would be my preference, so I could compare it with what an electrician would charge for a home installation, but that’s not how the offer was worded.

Last but not least, the comfort level of the 2022 Bolt is said to be better than that of its predecessor. Comfort being subjective and entirely dependent on your physical attributes versus design parameters the automaker is working with, I didn’t think it was pertinent to discuss it at this time. Outside of GM, no one has tested either Bolt and could provide that information. We’ll see how well it performs, drives, and fits once we get closer to its release date.

[Images: Chevrolet]