Electric vehicles are a newer arrival on the modern vehicle market, designed for high mileage without the worry of stopping and spending money on gas or leaving a large carbon footprint. Many manufacturers have produced electric vehicles in response to the demand, and Chevrolet is no exception. The Chevy Bolt, an electric five-door hatchback, was first launched in 2015. Chevy has also announced plans to release more Chevy EV models, including an electric SUV and electric pickup truck. These plans are designed to ensure that Chevy keeps up with the competition. However, Chevy is not only focused on offering more EV options, they are also trying to ensure that EVs are affordable and available to every driver.
Chevy has worked hard to make sure that their electric vehicles are affordable, with the goal of making these vehicles accessible to everyone. The new 20220 Chevy Bolt EV has a base MSRP of just $31,995. Their powerful batteries and electric engines save a lot of standard maintenance required of other vehicles. Additionally, a sturdy frame and functional interior ensure that the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV can be enjoyed by any driver. Truly, the Chevy Bolts are designed to be affordable for all. If Chevy continues this trend of functional materials paired with a powerful battery and electric engine for later electric vehicle releases, they will easily make a name for themselves in the electronic vehicle market.
Electric Vehicles: Why They Have a Lower Cost of Ownership
Electric cars are not exactly a new phenomenon, but their overall design and style have been growing more streamlined and affordable through the years. Because electric cars are powered by batteries and electric engines, a lot of the inner mechanical workings of traditional vehicles are simply not present in an electric vehicle. Standard maintenance for an EV cuts out many of the items that are required for internal combustion engines. The maintenance items for an EV mostly consist of checking the tires, keeping the windshield washer fluid topped up, assessing the brakes, and replacing the cabin air filter. Yes – that’s really it when you own a Chevy EV.
While the battery is just as important as all the moving parts in an internal combustion engine since they serve the same role – providing the car with power. However, the battery in a Chevy EV is designed to last for years without any regular maintenance. While all batteries slowly lose power over time, Chevy EVs use advanced software to monitor charge cycles and minimize battery degradation. This means that you can expect the battery to continue running strong for as long or even longer than the gasoline engine in a traditional vehicle. While the oldest Chevy EVs are only four years old at this point, we are already seeing vehicles with well over 100,000 miles on the odometer and no significant reduction in battery capacity.
Checking tires is a necessity for all cars, no matter what their power source may be, but electric vehicles tend to be heavier than their gas-guzzling counterparts. Additionally, the delivery of instant torque to the tires can wear them down faster than other vehicles. However, if EVs are a bit harder on tires, they are much easier on brakes. That is because Chevy EVs offer regenerative braking, which uses the electric motors to slow the car without having to put wear on the brakes. After you learn to drive a car with regenerative braking, you can expect your brake pads to last up to twice as long as on a conventional car.
Overall, Chevy EV maintenance is cheap and easy. All the regular mechanic visits for oil changes, new spark plugs, transmission fluid replacement, exhaust issues, and more will become a thing of the past. All of these components, which so many people are used to maintaining regularly, simply are not present in an electric vehicle.
Chevy Bolt: Power and Ease
The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV broke ground as one of Chevy’s first electric vehicles and has not looked back since. The latest version can get an EPA-rated 259 miles on a full charge and can charge up in as little as ten hours, with an estimated 25 miles gained for every hour of short charge time. Regen on demand is also featured, a battery regeneration system that is triggered with the push of a button. With this system, the vehicle will slow down without the application of the brake pedal, converting the otherwise wasted energy into electricity for the battery.
Generous space inside the Bolt EV makes it comfortable for four and even decently spacious for five. Sixty-forty split folding rear seats capable of folding completely flat combine with a false cargo floor for a maximum storage space of 57 cubic feet. The interior also includes driver information screens. These keep key information, such as tire pressure, fuel level, and available battery power, on display for the driver to gauge how well their Bolt EV is performing. A useful compartment is placed directly behind the shifter, perfectly shaped for smartphones. Additionally, the central touchscreen and instrument cluster have a sleek and modern appearance.
Many of the safety features included in the Chevy Bolt EV have become standard for other vehicles as well. Automatic Emergency Braking will react instantly to avoid accidents, often working with the driver’s braking for a faster stop. The rearview mirror has an optional camera mode. With a button push, drivers can gain a wider and less obstructed view of the area behind their car through assistance from camera angles. Available HD surround vision also provides a digital overhead image of the vehicle to give drivers the best possible idea of what their surroundings look like.
Affordable Cars Can Be Any Type
Vehicles with internal combustion engines are often less expensive than electric vehicles when you look at the initial price tag, but over the life of a vehicle, there can be little argument that electric vehicles have the edge over their competition. The Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are only some of many such vehicles on the road today, and none of them run on gas, saving their drivers frustrating and frequent stops at the gas pump. Not only is electric power cheaper and more convenient than fossil fuels, but Chevy EVs also require far fewer trips to the mechanic for regular maintenance, leaving even more money in your wallet.
Chevy EVs are made to be affordable from the very start. Chevy is making a name for itself in the electric vehicle market; of this, there can be no doubt. Their current plans to release a larger electric SUV and an electric pickup truck will further guarantee that electric vehicles can be accessible to anyone who might be interested in owning one. Even without these plans, Chevy’s current electric vehicles have proven themselves plenty reliable, affordable, and well made. If you are interested in an electric vehicle, but have been put off by the high prices of options from Tesla and other manufacturers, then it is time to take a look at Chevy’s EV offerings. The Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are an excellent entry into the world of electric vehicles.
