2017 Chevy Bolt at CES 2016

A 200+ mile range BEV is a major blow to the restrictions that the 80 to 90 mile range BEV available now have. It is even a big improvement over the 107 mile Leaf that starts at $34,200. It makes a BEV possible as a daily commuter for more people, and expands the car to possible weekend getaway vehicle.

These cars aren't much more than a fully loaded gen4 Prius. Battery prices still need to improve though, and they are. The Volt went from a 35 mile EV range plug in of $40k to a $34k one with 50 mile range. TCO can make the BEV cheaper, but most buyers don't consider this.

BEVs have a way to go before they can replace the ICE car for everyone, but they don't have too to have an impact on the driving landscape. Many households in the US have more than one car and access to charging.

Hybrids still have a $2000 to $3000 premium over the ICE. To much of the public, that makes them toys for the well to do. They and BEVs aren't toys. They are fully functioning personal cars that meet their owners needs with all the assorted risks to life and limb that an ICE model has. Well, maybe the BEV is less likely to burst into flames.

 

And less likely to poison you or your family if running in a closed garage, or if the exhaust pipe gets blocked, etc.

 

I was going to say charging in the garage could be a fire risk, but then remembered an electric stove and dryer draw as much power, and the dryer has the fire risk with lint. Of course, like most people, I had also forgotten about the gasoline in the ICE car in the garage.

To be fair, most fires of parked cars have nothing to do with the drive train and fuel type, but something like a shorted window switch.

 

Well, so much for GM helping to build CCS chargers to help enable longer distance driving.

GM Won't Fund CCS Fast-Charging Sites For 2017 Chevy Bolt EV

 

Chevy Bolt Base........... $37,000
Toyota Prius Base.........$24,200
Honda Fit Base..............$15,890

Mileage, tires, wipers, ect. being equal and keeping it basic...$2.00 a gallon for gas, 10,000 mile oil changes (free up to 25K) and absolutely no travel restrictions vs charging equipment plus installation, home plus fee based travel charge rates, restricted travel...hum...I would love to see your math.

How Many Miles Do Americans Drive Per Year?

 

Disappointing, but not surprising. With the majority of plug in charging happening at home, and the majority of GM's products being ICEs, it doesn't make much sense for them.

Some good points in the comments section of the article.

The Volt base is $33,170.

 

Not according to GM...but even if true for a vehicle that is supposed to come out in 2017...I want to see your math on TCO.

2017 Bolt EV: All-Electric Vehicle | Chevrolet

 

I think he's pointing out your typo in post #85 (Volt vs Bolt). You're not the first and certainly won't be the last.

 

Thanks to both of you...corrected.

 

Didn't occur to me that the Volt was a typo. Another reason for us all to go Dvorak

A TCO for the Bolt can't be calculated until we get the EPA numbers for electric use.
To be honest the comparison should be for like equipped cars. The first Volt was quite loaded with features. Again we need to wait and see what the Bolt ends up with.

 

Fair enough...but using "base" models is still fair for the sake of conversation.

 

We still don't have the spec of the Bolt battery or it's efficiency.
From this article it appears the Bolt takes 69 kWh to charge. 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Preliminary Specifications Released
But we will be guessing at charging efficiency and fuel efficiency when the range is "over 200 miles".

And why limit maintenance costs to just the basic oil changes? Brakes are a big ticket item for many people, and the Bolt will need less work there than the Fit, and maybe even the Prius.

 

Do you think gas will remain at $2.00/gal for the next 5 to 10 years? I'm not sure a realistic TCO can claim that.

 

a year or two at best. the middle east is quickly going bankrupt.

 

The Fit isn't likely going to be a like to like comparison due to features aand interior quality. At the very least, the automatic should be used at $16,690.

The Trax and Encore are the Bolt's platform mates. Their base models start at $20,120 and $24,065.

 

most car sold are not base Toyota equipment are prohibitive and primitive and bolt there is rebate -7000$ dont know what need to be done to get it but should be that hard

 

Stupid move!

As I posted elsewhere:
They should've thrown in the towel and gone w/CHAdeMO or worked out a deal paying Tesla for Supercharger access. At least w/either of those, they'd have access to a much more well-developed DC FC infrastructure than the amount of SAE Combo in the US, esp. outside California.

For reference, from
CHAdeMO Association
"The number of CHAdeMO DC Quick chargers installed up to today is 10353.
-- (Japan 5960 Europe 2755 USA 1530 Others 108) last update 2016.01.11"

Meanwhile, per Tesla Supercharger Network - Page 117 - My Nissan Leaf Forum:
"Tesla U.S. Supercharger # of states/locations/stalls as of 1/1/2015: 44/248/1,668."

SAE Combo DC FCs are somewhere in the low couple hundred in the US, mostly in CA. California is in the process of getting 200 (NRG evgo) "Freedom Stations" that are dual-head CHAdeMO and SAE Combo due to a settlement w/the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission).

For those who aren't in the know, for the US, CHAdeMO is available on the Leaf, standard on the Kia Soul EV, available (now standard) on the i-Miev and compatible w/the Model S with Tesla — CHAdeMO Adapter.

Heck, BMW ended up having to support 3 DC FC plugs on the i3, depending on where the car was sold: Combo1 aka SAE Combo for North America, Combo 2 for Europe and CHAdeMO for Japan. Pics of all 6 DC FC plugs at Chevy Spark EV Forum • View topic - DC fast charging: J1772 CCS vs CHAdeMO vs Supercharger, etc..

 

Full specs of the car were released a couple of days ago:
Drive Unit and Battery at the Heart of Chevrolet Bolt EV

60 kWh battery
960 lbs. (435 kg) battery pack weight
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3580 lb / 1625kg based on target (w/o 2passengers)
200 hp/150 kW

 

Grabbed the wrong link.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV First Drive Review - Motor Trend
"9 hours at 32 amps and 240 volts"
That will cover charging losses.