Inside EVs Renders 2020 Chevy Bolt as “The Most Affordable and Compelling EV Option”

Over the past week, a solid video was making the rounds that showcased the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV and had a lot of fantastic things to say about it! Joe Raiti is the host of “Raiti's Rides”, and was very young when he full-on caught the car bug. Growing up watching his dad work on various makes and models, he quickly learned to have a sense of the complex inner parts and function of the internal combustion engine. He was a professional formula car racer for three years and is a renowned expert when it comes to Porsches and our very own beloved Corvette.

In the video, he is going over the fine points of a 2020 Bolt with Premier trim, and wants to answer questions for those out there wondering: is the Bolt the most bang currently out there for your buck, and the most versatile EV out there? He takes a step back in time to remember our very first “EV1”, before the Volt. He also admits that Tesla was the “Apple” style brand in the sea of electric completion, but that one thing he loved about the Volt was the fact that it had a gas-powered generator to quell anyone with serious range anxiety, a very important trait for a pioneering model.

The host is alert and future-savvy: he can't hide his excitement when he announces that the 2020 Bolt is fully electric, no generator or any other way of generating power besides regenerative braking is at play. He bills the styling as very unique as he looks at the front, with full LED projector beam-style headlights and daytime running lamps. As you look deeper into the headlights they are now all blacked out inside with a bit of silver trim, giving it a nice dose of flair.

The grille has also been redesigned, and this maestro of sorts who loves high-octane thrill machines such as the Camaro and Corvette approves of the nice blacked-out look as well as the brand-new high-def forward-facing camera situated underneath. Even though there is not any storage underneath the hood is there is in some other EVs, Joe appreciated the way the Bolt is made up because you can pop the hood and clearly see what you are working with underneath.

He then offers a very close-up look at the 17-inch wheels that are machine aluminum and gloss black, and you see that the wheel design aesthetically goes well with the rest of the car's appearance. The plug-in spot for the charger is directly at around the one-o-clock position above the driver's side front tire, and the chrome trim above it flows towards the side mirror and then stops, which Joe also thought looked smart. Also of note that will gain much approval are the roof rails on top: you could easily mount the extra equipment to carry anything like a bike or kayak if needed.

All of us here at West Chevy of Knoxville would most likely agree that one of the prime areas that the Bolt has been winning in is range: every year there is a new model on the scene, the driver will be going further without a charge, no questions asked. This was part of the allure and magic of electrification to begin with, and if a commuter is driving 15 miles a day, they can last an entire week since the mile range is now over 250! In fact, at 15 miles a day you would last two weeks  without the need for a charge. From a 210-volt outlet, the charging time is around 9 hours, perfect for any overnight to be fully juiced in the morning and ready to roll.

2020 Chevy Bolt Deemed by Kelley Blue Book As “Alluring, With Excellent Extended Range”

Since electrification is an issue that sees varied opinions and is changing every day, we field all kinds of questions here at West Chevy of Knoxville about vehicles and functionality. The first question we get frequently is one that makes sense for anyone contemplating a purchase: “How far can it go?”. Some of the biggest concerns that cross the customer's mind regarding electrification are charging time, and the fantastic news of the year is that the 2020 Chevy Bolt now has an enhanced range of 259 miles, up from 238 miles in the outgoing model.

Last year's range was admittedly still impressive, and many reviews claimed that conquering the urban (or suburban) workweek would be a snap at something like an estimated 10 miles a day back and forth. As Kelley Blue Book reported this past week, the stiff competition such as the Hyundai Kona Electric was causing Chevy to know they had to up the ante in the distance war. Next year's Kia Soul EV is expected to have a range of 243 miles, while the Nissan Leaf Plus will brandish 226 miles.

This range enhancement was thanks in part to tweaking the cell chemistry of the lithium-ion battery cells, successfully nailing down the gains without having the change the actual size of the pack. Other new features for 2020 include a high-definition rear-view camera, second-generation digital rearview mirror, and better charge times in cold weather. To provide a proper demonstration of the Bolt's new range, automotive media pros were invited to drive from Tacoma, Washington, to Portland, Oregon. A direct route would have been an easy 145 miles, but the plan was shaken up a bit by a route that totaled 95 miles more than that.

The Kelley Blue Book driving team noted that during the entire trip, the manner of the Bolt was “compliant, crisp, and well-behaved”, and driving in L mode meant seldom use of the brakes. While slowing to a complete stop, the deceleration energy is allocated back into the battery, an amazing feat even by today's standards. During this trip, there were a few elements of planning that simply did not add up to a perfect expose, and some of the units had to employ the use of a DC fast-charging station in Kelso.

This trip was in NO WAY a complete fail! Some of the drivers were using the heat instead of other options, and not all of them were familiar with how you can optimize range in the Bolt. Furthermore, this was to illustrate how the car performed “under the gun”, or with only 9 miles to spare in the end. The Bolt is a fantastic choice for those who are ready to embrace the future of electrification as it meets the needs of the present, and begin the tapering down of daily gasoline dependence!

MotorTrend Deems 2020 Chevy Bolt Range Higher Than Tesla Model 3

It was not that long ago when severe anxiety over electric vehicle range was common. Motor Trend ran a story on their blog last week depicting the progress that has occurred with the range issue for electric vehicles, and the very solid rise in final range for the 2020 Chevy Bolt! The EPA-estimated range for this electric hatchback is now up to 259 miles, a 21-mile increase from last year's 238-mile peak. A 9-percent increase is a gain that will surely turn heads: considering the current state of public charging availability, EV drivers have to scrutinize every single mile during a trip.

We have all been in a situation where another 20 or so miles of driving range would be a game-changer, making or breaking your latest planned journey. Boosting the Bolt's range was much like a world-class barbecue joint's strategy that one would find right here in Knoxville, and involved a bit of “secret sauce”! Engineers went hard to work on altering the cell chemistry of the car's 60-kW-hr lithium-ion power source, making each electrode more energy-dense. The task was completed without any physical changes to the battery pack, so its not any larger or heavier in the long run.

The new model will also start at the exact same price as last year, and will include 200 horsepower, 266 lb-ft front-wheel-drive powertrain, with a 120-volt portable charge cord to provide the necessary juice. DC fast charging capability is also an option, and this range boost now gives the Bolt bragging rights of beating out the entry-level Tesla Model 3, which is situated at 240 miles. Year by year the range has been improving, and Chevy now also trumps the Volkswagen e-Golf, which still crosses the all-important range finish line at just 125 miles.

There are now Oasis Blue and Cayenne Orange Metallic exterior, as well as the All-weather floor liner. The HD Rear Vision Camera replaces the standard Rear Vision Camera, and HD Surround Vision replaces the UVH Surround Vision. What would all of us on staff here at West Chevy of Knoxville like to see for the future? One feature that Tesla provided that could work wonders is the ability to preheat the battery before heading to a DC fast charger in harsh winter conditions, helping in the long run during a time when you need juice in a hurry. One thing that is absolutely certain is that change is rapid and abundant in the electric vehicle marketplace right now, and as consumers will undeniably expect more and more, we will keep you posted about important updates as they come across our desk!