Featured 2023 Chevy Bolt Is Now The Nation’s Cheapest EV at $26,595

Ya know, with the new battery, better interior, and improved pricing, that thing is starting to appeal to me. Not as nice as the Ioniq 5, but WAY WAY cheaper. And more efficient.

 

Since there is no $7500 tax credit for the Bolt anymore, it will be ideal for lease. I guess 4k down and about $250 a month for 36 months might be a very good deal with gas prices at $5 per gallon nationwide average. At the end of the lease and warranty period I would not care about Chevrolet reliability anymore.

 

That's a red hot deal. Chevrolet must be blowing those out the door. Fire sale. Everything must go! Hurry up because this still won't last

 

With a maximum charge rate of 50 kW, I can resist the temptation. It is in effect a BMW i3 with more battery capacity.

Bob Wilson

 

definitely elements of trade off's between the two cars. 247 mile range vs 300+ ..... 50kW max charge speed vs > 5X faster as well as V2G feature etc. But the WAY cheaper price is a nice offset.
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How do those two cars compare in terms of cargo size? I have not seen Bolt or Ioniq 5 in real life, but the current-gen Leaf was smaller than my PP.

If Bolt has a smaller cargo space than PP, then I really can't convince myself to trade it. With a base Leaf, I can pocket $10K profit as long as Nissan still has a full $7500 tax credit. That may be enough to justify the trade. But with base Bolt at $26.5k, it's only $3.5k profit. Not enough to lose the utility just to go for a 100% EV, knowing that there will not be any additional savings over PP on maintenance or fuel cost.

 

Bolt comes in two sizes now, and the larger one they call utility vehicle is much roomier then the smaller one

 

Yeah, but Bolt EUV is a few grand more expensive than Bolt EV. The base Bolt EUV is priced from $28,195, which makes Bolt EUV no more attractive than Hyundai Kona EV or Kia Niro EV both of which should still qualify for the $7500 full credit.

 

Bolt for $27k looks like a good deal compared to other EVs on the market, but it still looks expensive compared to a lot of cars out there.

Even with $5+ gas.

I'm giving them credit here- it used to look very expensive compared to other cars. Earlier I have referred to the bolt as "the nicest $18k hatchback $36k could buy."

Just a reality-check reminder: If it were still available, $27k could get you a Prius c and nearly 45,000 miles worth of $5 gas.

 

True - but it's averaging in the $6.30 range in California where the lion's share of driving is done. For the sunny state, with solar, that becomes an even greater bargain. Maybe that's where the car will sell the best.

being over 6' tall & often loading tons of cargo & people - just saying there are definite considerations to consider besides a wonderful price. But as a 2nd car? We would be all over it if we weren't already set.
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I'm 6'4" and the last time I used our c, it was to go to the ag supply to pick up 200lbs of chicken feed, 100lb of softener salt, 50lbs of diatomaceous earth, a sack of scratch grains and a bale of straw.

Admittedly the straw rode on the hitch-mount cargo tray but that's more about keeping the car clean than anything. There was room for it inside.

 

The EPA specs have the Bolt EV cargo space the same as the Prius c. It has 7 cubic feet more cabin space.

 

Yeah, considering that I have paid only ~$24K total for my current 2021 PP Ltd. And the fact that I have used only 88 gal gas in a year for ~9K miles driven, the cost of gas would be only $440 even if the gas price is $5/gal. Since our electricity rate is very high, the fuel cost saved by a 100% EV would be less than $200/year. Unless I really want to switch to a BEV for the cause, it makes no financial sense.

EDIT: I misrepresented the BEV saving. In fact, for us, the annual fuel cost will actually increase not decrease if I traded in my PP for a Bolt. This is because I can't do the long-distance trips I currently do with the PP due to the lack of charging infrastructure. This means that any trips longer than 200 miles will have to be covered by our gas guzzler SUV thus overall gas consumption in our household will actually increase. Absolutely no saving in the fuel cost.

 

I've driven a couple Ioniq 5s. The cargo area is pretty big, but not gigantic. Bigger than a Prime, though. From the videos I've seen, the I5 has much more cargo room than either version of the Bolt.

Most of the difference in space is in the rear seat. The Bolt EUV actually has room for a 6' adult to sit behind a 6' driver. But it's not nearly as roomy of a back seat as the Ioniq 5. I've watched quite a few reviews of both. The main things the Bolt has going for it is the low price and the electrical efficiency. In the I5's favor is the comfort, space, and charging speed. I'm seeing more and more Ioniq 5s here. In fact, one was in front of me today.

If I was driving a gasser, I'd be all over one or the other of these. As it is, I last bought gas 2,800 miles ago and still have 3/8 of a tank left. And the Prime is paid for. So all I'd save with an EV is about three tanks of gas and an oil change every year. And I'd use more electricity. It'll probably come down to the point where I decide I have the money to get one and want it enough to part with the money. I could have paid cash for both of them at once with what's bled out of my IRA so far this year. Waiting for the bear market rebound. While I wait, maybe something even better will come along.

 

I'm hoping that this will give an incentive to people to purchase something battery driven that normally wouldn't be interested. The dealer I bought my Bolt from has 5 new ones that are already sold, just waiting for their new batteries. I got mine at the end of last year.

 

First off, BMW has an i5 electric coming out, so abbreviating Ioniq 5 may not be the best way forward. The i4 is already available.

BEVs tend to have a long wheelbase for the battery. Compared to an ICE model of same overall length, this means more cabin space over cargo space. The Bolt is a subcompact. What is that, two sizes smaller than the Ioniq 5? The lower price makes it more viable as a household's second car. The Bolt's smaller size and slower DC charging speed are less of a drawback in that role. Wish I had held onto the Camry now.

 

Hmm... how about Q5? Oh rats, that one's taken too.

Add the H from Hyundai? HI-5 anyone?

 

Starting to get exciting with all the different electric models coming out and this is just the beginning.

 

Ironically, there are many enthusiasts claiming it is "too late". Reality is, the party Toyota was supposedly late for was nothing but a tailgate party. The actual game has yet to begin.

 

Yes ... hopefully not too long after they figure out a way to stop their wheels from falling off.

Ironically our Pacifica plug-in is on a recall that says that they may catch fire. But the manufacturer says don't worry about & it just keep driving it until we figure out what it is. And best not to park in your garage to prevent your house from burning down.
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