As the world grows more and more fond of products that are kind to the environment, we’re all very excited to see where Chevrolet takes their line and definitely curious about what’s to come with the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV. Some might associate electric vehicles mostly with companies known for compact cars and sedans, like Toyota or Honda. When you first think EV, you don’t necessarily think about a brand that makes tough and large utility vehicles like SUVs and trucks, but Chevrolet was actually the first major car manufacturer to make a mass-produced EV vehicle with their compact EV1 back in 1996. Consumers raved when Chevrolet first entered the electric vehicle market with that sporty, small, and nimble car. The EV1 didn’t stay out for long, and then Chevrolet earned such a major reputation for larger utility vehicles that many forgot about their tiny green car of the past.
Still, just because someone needs the space and power of a Chevy Suburban or the workhorse nature of the Silverado doesn’t mean that they don’t also care about being kind to the planet. So having a fan base in the large car market didn’t mean that Chevy didn’t have drivers willing and eager to go green. In fact, Chevy quickly saw that their fan base was ready to go electric with them and that continued to be true when they released the Chevy Bolt EV in 2017. They’ve continued to refresh and upgrade the popular hatchback, and the 2023 model has some fun surprises that might send you to your nearest dealership to check it out.
First, What’s the Holdup?
Drivers passing up on the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV in favor of the 2023 model probably noticed that they had to wait longer than planned. Chevy had initially intended to begin production on the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV in May of 2022. However, there was a major hiccup that sent everything to a screeching halt: faulty batteries. Chevy had already put out the 2022 Bolt EV when it came to their attention that two manufacturing defects had led to faulty batteries at risk of catching fire during the charging process.
It was actually in 2020 when this risk was first brought to the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Chevy. This caused a widespread recall of the 2022 models already out on the roads in 2021 and naturally put a pause to the 2023 production, as those models were meant to operate on the same system. Chevy had to address this issue before resuming manufacturing of the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV and beginning production of the 2023 year models.
Ultimately, the production of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV didn’t begin until the summer of 2022, but even then, it saw a second holdup. While it was set to kick off on July 21st, it was once again pushed back to July 26th. So now we’re looking at early fall before models start hitting the streets.
What to Look Forward to for 2023
A Price Drop
Chevrolet is dedicated to making electric vehicles more affordable to all, and that’s why you’ll notice a significant price drop for the Bolt EV for 2023. The new starting price for the Bolt EV is down to $25,600, which is nearly a $6,000 decrease from the starting price of the 2022 EV Bolt, listed at $31,500. Furthermore, the 2023 2LT trim can be purchased starting at $28,800. For drivers looking only at cars in the 30k and under range, the Chevy Bolt EV is definitely within budget.
Packages to Choose
One of the most exciting things about getting a brand new model is that you have the option to choose which packages it comes with. You can tailor the vehicle to have everything you want. Once you select your 2023 Bolt EV trim, you can have some fun looking at the fantastic packages being offered.
The Infotainment Package will bring in a 7-speaker sound system from Bose with a subwoofer, making it a must-have for audiophiles who want to blast their jams. It will also have wireless device charging, letting you power up things like smartphones and tablets without dealing with messy cords. But, for those who still like to charge devices the old-school way, there will be two USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Drivers can also select the Adaptive Cruise Control package to equip their car with this amazing driver assist feature. Adaptive Cruise Control allows you to set a desired speed and following distance, then will automatically speed up or slow down depending on traffic to keep that distance.
Other Fun Additions
Another fun new thing to look forward to is an illuminated charging port that has a bright green light, making it easy to find in the dark and giving the charging area a cool aesthetic. This model also comes with a brand new exterior color, Radiant Red Tintcoat, which is an extra cost but looks gorgeous. You can add just a little bit more flair to your Bolt in 2023.
Features Still Holding Strong From 2022
As an electric vehicle, the Chevy Bolt EV naturally evokes questions like, how long does it take to charge and how long can it go on one charge? The 2023 model is still expected to charge in approximately seven hours on a 240V charger. Charging with a regular 120V home outlet will get you about 4 miles of range per hour while using a public DC Fast Charge station will get you up to 100 miles in just 30 minutes. On a full charge, the Bolt EV can go for an estimated 259 miles.
Just like with the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV, the 2023 model will come in two trims: the 1LT and the 2LT. The 1LT will have cloth seating, while the 2LT will have perforated leather seating. The 2023 model will also keep the One Pedal Driving mode, which allows drivers to speed up, slow down, and stop using only the accelerator pedal. Drivers who spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic can appreciate not having to switch back and forth between pedals, thanks to this feature. The massive 10.2-inch diagonal color touchscreen is also a holdover. This intuitive system lets you see crisp graphics of all of your favorite apps and swipe between panels to see even more.
Drivers who’ve come to love the Chevy Safety Assist suite of features will appreciate that it still comes standard on the 2023 model. This suite includes driver assist features such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, IntelliBeam High Beams, and a Following Distance Indicator. Those who opt for the 2LT trim will be able to get the previously mentioned Adaptive Cruise Control and standard Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert.
Order Your 2023 Chevy Bolt EV Now
After much drama and a long wait, drivers can finally start designing their perfect 2023 Chevy Bolt EV. It’s easy to do, and you get to ensure everything that matters to you, from infotainment features to driver-assist features, is a part of your electric vehicle. Get the perfect set of safety features to bring you peace of mind and benefit from having wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
If you need a little inspiration to get on the EV train, know that the U.S. is rapidly installing charging stations. Plus, Chevy will install a home charging station free of charge for qualifying customers. You shouldn’t have a hard time finding a place to charge up if you find yourself in a 2023 Chevy Bolt EV, and the Energy Assist mobile app will guide you to stations if you are in a place you are unfamiliar with. With lots of cargo, easy handling, stunning new color options, and a welcome price drop, the 2023 Chevy EV Bolt definitely deserves your attention.
