In recent years, the automotive industry has witnessed nothing short of a revolution when it comes to the EV (Electric Vehicle). While the predictions from science fiction that depict flying cars and hoverboards have yet to become a reality, the EV is becoming more and more commonplace as a viable option for the average consumer with models like the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV coming onto the scene. The introduction of any new technology often comes exclusively to those who can afford it. The EV was no exception to this, as for a while, the options were limited to only a few models. Not so much anymore, as more and more manufacturers have seized the initiative to produce more vehicles that thrive on battery power and electricity, which will greatly limit the number of harmful emissions that are released into the atmosphere on a yearly basis.
Naturally, it only seems fitting that Chevrolet, the manufacturer of the average blue-collar American, has an EV that would have mass appeal to their loyal customers. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV utilizes the economically friendly technology that promotes the conservation of the environment with the technology and versatility needed by the average consumer. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” as Thomas Edison once declared, and Chevrolet has once again delivered a better vehicle to the people.
Consumer Goods for a Modern Age
Like so much else in our consumer-based economy, an EV that’s ideal for the average citizen must be versatile and affordable. For many people, any vehicle they purchase is more akin to making an investment than an actual exchange for goods and services. It can easily be assumed that many have seen the advertisements for EV’s and their promises of traveling considerable distances without the need for gasoline and thought, “That must be nice to own, but I can’t afford one.” This thought is no longer a lament but a misconception.
A starting MSRP of $33,500 means that Chevrolet makes the conveniences and advantages of the modern world more accessible than they’ve previously been. This price shows the steadfast determination of the manufacturer to stay ahead of the curve and remain the first and last brand name that people trust when it comes to vehicles. The Bolt EUV undercuts the prices of the competition without sacrificing the high standards of quality that Chevrolet has been long known for. The Bolt EUV is less expensive than similar offerings from Kia, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Ford.
To illustrate a broader picture, the 2022 Ford Mustang E starts at just under $44,000, the Volkswagen ID.4 at slightly under $40,000, and the Hyundai Kona Electric comes closest to matching the Bolt EUV in the pricing wars with a starting MSRP of $34,000. Numbers don’t lie, and once again, Chevrolet goes the extra mile for its drivers.
Performance and Versatility
While competitive pricing is something that many people look at when deciding which vehicle to purchase, the question becomes, “what am I paying for?” While the Bolt EUV’s attractive price will certainly make someone take note, it also raises a slew of questions as to what it has to offer. Because you often get what you pay for.
Rest assured that what you’re paying for are versatility and performance. The sub-classification for the Bolt EUV sets it apart from other offers on the market. This model is especially exciting because it’s not a basic car; it’s an electric SUV. It’s no secret that the SUV has unsurpassed popularity in the modern age, outperforming the sedan in terms of sales and becoming the ideal family vehicle. Chevy takes the SUV concept and applies cutting-edge engineering to provide its customers with a superior product that shatters all expectations.
The Bolt EUV seats five comfortably and offers over 56 available cubic feet of storage space. While the Bolt EUV is smaller than the average compact SUV, it’s slightly larger than your average hatchback. This makes it ideal for family use in the suburbs or the city, thanks to its handling and maneuverability. While AWD is not yet available to the Bolt EUV as it’s still in the early stages of the vehicle, this is more than made up for with GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving package, which will be available on the higher trims. This innovation takes driving assistance to the next level as it offers the driver a hands-free approach when on the road. While this doesn’t replace the responsible and assertive driver, it does offer a new type of cruise control that knows the road ahead.
We’ve saved the most unique for last. Many might be wondering what type of space-age wizardry powers this new brand of SUV. We assure you that the Bolt EUV is powered not by wizardry but by a 65-kWh lithium-ion battery. Just because the Bolt EUV is battery-powered doesn’t mean it lacks quickness. What Chevy gives you is rapid acceleration from a power source that provides 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. That’s better than the average sedan, and just as well. The bolt lives up to its name in every sense, with the capability to go from 0 to 60 mph in a flat seven seconds.
Higher than average horsepower and quick acceleration aside, your ride will also be smooth as silk, thanks to Chevy’s direct-drive transmission. This marvel of the powertrain transmits torque from the battery straight to the wheels of the Bolt, allowing for gear changes without reduction or the use of belts. You’ve heard about the distances that EVs can go without ever having to travel to the pump. Now you can experience that modern innovation first hand as the Bolt goes a remarkable distance of up to 247 miles on a fully charged battery. If you plug in your vehicle to charge overnight, you should have no issues with the range as you handle your daily commute and other errands. Plus, with the ability to charge at a DC Fast Charging station, the Bolt EUV will be the perfect companion for a long road trip.
The Dawning of a New Era
The history of the automobile is one of technology and innovation becoming increasingly available to a wider range of people. From the internal combustion engine to the air conditioner and now the ability to travel not on fossil fuels but the electricity generated from a battery, EVs are changing the automotive world as we know it. By making this remarkable innovation less exclusive and more available to the public, Chevy sets a bold new standard for the electric vehicle—one of accessibility.
By making an EV such as the Bolt easily affordable and available, Chevy sends a message that the initiative of taking better care of the environment is one that can be seized by every driver and not just every manufacturer. As the industry is one based on the rise and fall of trends and practices, Chevy’s mainstream friendly maneuver has the capability to launch a wide array of makes and models of the EV that are more affordable than ever.
Skeptics might be hesitant to sing the praises of the bolt, citing that its size is too diminutive for an SUV and that its price still exists on the higher end of the spectrum. As they’ve done since their inception, Chevrolet will do what they do best, silence the doubters and nay-sayers by continuing to release better and better products to their loyal base who know that there’s at least one manufacturer who has their best interest as a priority. In the developing saga of the EV revolution, Chevrolet has just shown everyone that this technology doesn’t have to be something only the most wealthy of us can afford to have.
