Chevrolet entered the electric car market in 2017 with the introduction of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which made a lasting impression on the industry and even earned the Motor Trend 2017 Car of the Year title. If you do a quick search of “Chevy Bolt cars for sale near me,” you’ll find that not much has changed on the Bolt over the last three years. But that’s about to change as Chevrolet promises big things are in store for their lineup of electric cars after recently announcing the upcoming 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV.
Before tackling the rumors surrounding the highly anticipated 2022 Bolt EUV, we’ll look at the first-generation Bolt that fueled Chevrolet’s ability to dominate the small electric car market. By looking at the current model, we can better appreciate the updates that Chevy promises for their new electric SUV. From there, we’ll look at what we know about the upcoming 2022 Bolt EUV to answer the question, “Will the Bolt EUV live up to the hype?” Let’s find out.
Past to Present: The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Although the Chevy Bolt is still in its first generation since its debut in 2017, it remains one of the top electric cars on the market thanks to its affordability, reliability, and many features. Over the last three years, Chevy made a few upgrades to the Bolt, as shown in the two trim packages – the LT and the Premier – that are available for 2020 models. The LT starts at $36,620, while the Premier adds some more features at a slightly higher price. Both models offer seating for five, an electric range of 259 miles on a full charge, and an 8-year or 100,000-mile limited battery warranty.
“Go farther than you think,” Chevy promises of the 2020 Bolt EV. “From your weekday commute to weekend trips and all the places in between, Bolt EV is ready to take you wherever you want to go.” And with the car’s remarkably good range and highly versatile design, those promises are more than fulfilled. Let’s take a look at some of those many features.
The LT trim comes standard with remote keyless entry, electronic precision shift, a 10.2-inch color touchscreen, an HD rear-vision camera, and Michelin Energy Saver All-Season tires. The Premier includes these features as well as HD Surround Vision, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, heated driver and front passenger seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and rear camera mirror. Both models include the same lithium-ion battery and electric drive unit capable of producing 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.
Both the LT and Premier come with various safety and upgrade options like the available Forward Collision Alert, which notifies drivers of imminent front-end collisions. Available Front Pedestrian Braking alerts drivers at speeds under 50 mph when a pedestrian is directly ahead, and available Automatic Emergency Braking reduces the severity of front-end collisions by enhancing driver braking or by automatically applying hard emergency braking.
Available Lane Keep Assist comes with Lane Departure Warning and aids drivers in avoiding crashes. The HD Rear Vision Camera provides drivers with a better view of the area behind the Bolt, and the available Rear Cross Traffic Alert notifies drivers of potential hazards while in reverse. Other safety options include Lane Change Alert, Rear Park Assist, and HD Surround Vision, the latter of which provides drivers with a birds-eye view of the environment around the Bolt.
The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Chevrolet has kept a tight lid on the design and features of the highly anticipated 2022 Bolt EUV. But based on the current options available on the 2020 Bolt EV, many agree that the upcoming electric SUV will share a few of the same features. Of course, one thing we aren’t sure about is whether the EUV acronym for “Electric Utility Vehicle” will stick. Either way, the EUV is expected to be a great addition to the Chevy lineup -especially for drivers looking for an SUV rather than a smaller hatchback like the Bolt.
In March 2020, Chevrolet hosted the EV Day press event in Michigan and released more details about the 2022 Bolt EUV crossover. Instead of using GM’s new Ultium battery technology or the BEV3 platform that supports charging up to 200-kW, the EUV will feature the same 66-kWh battery pack and BEV2 platform as the 2020 Bolt EV. This came as a modest disappointment for electric car fans, as did the announcement that the EUV will not offer an AWD version.
Despite Chevy sticking with the same BEV2 platform, the manufacturer extended the Bolt EV a couple of inches to give the EUV more room space for passengers and cargo. In addition to the extra space, the powertrain was also upgraded for the EUV – an 11-kW charging inverter that makes Level 2 charging even faster. The new inverter is significantly better than the 2020 Bolt EV’s standard 7.2-kW inverter. Still, it’s not as powerful as other inverters on the market or the long-awaited next-generation GM technology.
Chevy also promises several interior and exterior upgrades for the Bolt EUV that are designed to make it feel and perform more like an SUV. Thanks to the longer wheelbase, there’s more interior room that translates to more cargo space and legroom for passengers. The EUV also features a prominent center screen in the dashboard, as well as the option to add a second-row sunroof. While the EUV isn’t designed for towing trailers, there is a tow hitch available for an optional hitch-mounted bike rack that makes the EUV even more adventure-ready.
Beyond these upgrades, Chevrolet also added GM’s Super Cruise system to the EUV, making it the first non-Cadillac vehicle to feature the technology. The Super Cruise is a state-of-the-art system that offers hands-free driving utilizing high-definition maps, in-car monitoring, and sensors. The technology, which was first introduced in 2017, was only previously available on Cadillac models, but GM will include the impressive technology on the Chevy Bolt EUV and nearly two dozen other models. This is a huge addition that makes the 2022 Bolt EUV even more attractive!
Pricing
It’s still too early for Chevrolet to release pricing details on the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV, but that hasn’t stopped speculation. With the 2020 Bolt Premier starting at $41,000, it’s wise to guess that the EUV base model will be priced around this range. From there, prices will likely increase with the usual selection of trims, packages, and options.
Now We Wait
Chevrolet has big plans to shake up the electric car market with the introduction of the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV. The anticipated electric SUV will offer outstanding technology, added comfort, and even more safety and technology features than its smaller, hatchback sibling, the Bolt EV. But for now, the car industry is left speculating on how the Chevy Bolt EUV will take the market and roads by storm.
In the meantime, Chevy promises additional updates and improvements. How? Chevy is currently designing the second-generation Chevy Bolt EV, which will debut at the same time as the new Chevy Bolt EUV. Until then, we’re left waiting for the release of Chevy’s family of new electric vehicles.
