The electric vehicle market is on the uprise and automotive manufacturers are trying their hands in the EV sector. One such car is the Chevrolet Bolt that was first showcased in 2016 at the Consumer Electronics Show. Since its launch, Bolt has received praises from around the globe and was awarded as the 2017 North American Car of the Year. Bolt EV is the first affordable all-electric car to offer an EPA-estimated 238 miles of range on a single charge. It has a long list of impressive characteristics, including some of the most technologically advanced features, stand-out looks and plenty of space.
As automotive manufacturers slowly develop their EV portfolios, vehicles such as the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt bridge the gap between yesteryear's low-range city cars and the fully electric future. Performance isn’t the first reason many people will consider a 2020 Bolt EV. Its perky powertrain is a pleasant fringe benefit
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric Latest Updates
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Starting at $36620, the 2020 Chevy Bolt has a 60kW electric motor that is rated at 200hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque which is quite good considering the motor size. You can charge the Bolt EV using a standard home wall outlet but it may take up to 24 hours to get fully charged. The best option for fast charging is to use a level 3 fast charger or a level 2 charger (9 hours duration). The Chevy bolt competes against the likes of EV Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, Toyota Prius C, and Kia Soul EV. Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals.
The Chevrolet Bolt is a great pick if you’re shopping for an electric vehicle. If you typically stick closer to home, the Bolt's 238 miles of range means you won't have to plug in every night, which is a reality for many EV owners .
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV front angle view
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV rear angle view
Features
7.5/10
Chevrolet offers two trims for the 2020 Bolt: the base LT and the top Premier variant. Both the variants share similar hybrid powertrain and same size lithium-ion battery package. The difference lies in safety and interior upgrades. The Bolt LT offers two option packages: the $555 Comfort and Convenience package (includes heated front seats and steering wheel) and the $495 Driver Confidence package (includes rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert). You can get a DC fast-charging option for $750.
The Bolt LT is an affordable pick as it comes with an array of standard features such as:
Backup camera
2-inch touchscreen backed by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
"Despite the fact that there's a half-ton of battery crammed into a small car, the Bolt is not only a good EV, it's fun to drive as well."- New York Daily News
The all-electric powertrain for the 2020 Chevy Bolt remains unchanged. Instead of a gas engine, the Bolt EV is powered by a single electric with a 200-hp rating. The electric motor is paired with a 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a single-speed transmission. The Bolt's electric motor provides instantaneous response to accelerator inputs and ample low-end torque that lets you scoot ahead when the light turns green.
2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV engine bay
Bolt EV owners can opt for a 240V home-charging setup that cuts battery replenishment time to approximately nine hours or available DC Fast Charging capability that can add 90 miles of range in 30 minutes.
Models
Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback
Nissan LEAF S hatchback
BMW i3 120Ah hatchback
Toyota Prius C L hatchback
Kia Soul EV wagon
MSRP
$37,495
$30,885
$44,450
$22,460
$34,945
Engine
60 kWh Li-ion battery
110kW Electric Motor
42 kWh Li-ion battery
1.5L i4 Gas/Electric
27 kWh Li-ion battery
Transmission
1-speed direct drive
1-speed direct drive
1-speed direct drive
Continuously variable automatic
1-speed direct drive
Horsepower
200 hp
147 hp@ 3282rpm
170 hp@ 4800rpm
99 hp @4800rpm
109 hp@ 8000rpm
Torque
266 ft-lbs
236 ft-lbs
184 ft-bs
82 ft-lbs@ 4000rpm
210 ft-lbs @2730 rpm
Chevy Bolt offers the best power when compared with rivals. It is followed by the Nissan Leaf which has 236 hp on offer.
Acceleration
The electric motor attached to the 2020 Chevy Bolt offers instantaneous response and acceleration, with ample low-end torque. By selecting the Sport mode, you can make the accelerator pedal smoother and responsive to driver inputs. However, responses are lower on the highway, but Bolt manages to get through highway speeds somehow.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV acceleration view
You'll find plenty of oomph when you press the Bolt's accelerator. It merges onto freeways with ease, and there's a good deal of reserve power for passing on two-lane roads.
Models
Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback
Nissan LEAF S hatchback
BMW i3 120Ah hatchback
Toyota Prius C L hatchback
Kia Soul EV wagon
0-60 MPH
6.5 sec
N/A
7.2 sec
10.6 sec
N/A
Quarter mile
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Engine
60kW
110 kW
42 kW
1.5L i4 Gas/Electric
27 kW
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.8
N/A
In our acceleration test, the Chevy Bolt outshines all the rivals taking only 6.5 seconds to do a 0-60 MPH run. BMW i3 stands second taking 0.7 seconds more than the Bolt which is just ridiculous considering its price.
Ride and Handling
The Bolt has unique regenerative braking among EVs with the standard friction brakes in Default mode, which makes it feel easy to slow or stop the car. The regenerative braking recharges the battery by storing energy at slow speeds. If you shift the gear to the Low mode, it goes into one-pedal driving in which you can press the pedal to accelerate and release the pedal to slow or even stop the car without even having to use the brake. There is also another cool feature called Regen on demand in which you can pull a paddle at the back of the steering wheel, which is similar to the low mode for strong regenerative braking similar to the Low mode.
Driving the Bolt EV feels more like driving a basic gasoline car but with more initial torque. It can handle curves with ease at the lower speeds and getting used to it is easier. It's not a driver's car, to be honest, but the torquey engine surely makes it an interesting ride. For urban roads, its shorter wheelbase and low turning radius makes it easier to maneuver this car.
Braking
2020 Chevy Bolt’s brake pedal is responsive and firm. The regenerative braking system allows the battery to recharge whenever you lift off the accelerator. A paddle provided on the left side of the steering wheel allows on-demand regenerative braking and stops the car instantly. The more you use the regenerative braking, more recaptured energy is transferred to the battery.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Wheel
Model
Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback
Nissan LEAF S hatchback
BMW i3 120Ah hatchback
Toyota Prius C L hatchback
Kia Soul EV wagon
Brake Front (in.)
11
11.1
11
10
11.1
Brake Rear (in.)
10
11.5
11
9
11.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3563
3433
2965
2530
3289
60-0 MPH (ft.)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
The ride quality offered by Bolt EV is firm as well. There’s little sign of impacts while driving on uneven terrain. Since the battery pack is mounted beneath the floor, the Bolt wears low center of gravity that makes safe handling. The EV is absolutely fun to drive.
Fuel Economy
9.9/10
The 60-kWh battery pack offered with the Bolt EV is capable of returning an EPA-rated range of 238 miles on a single charge. The Bolt EV is efficient with EPA ratings of up to 128 MPGe in the city.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Charging Port
Model
Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback
Nissan LEAF S hatchback
BMW i3 120Ah hatchback
Toyota Prius C L hatchback
Kia Soul EV wagon
MPG (city)
128
124
127
48
124
MPG (highway)
110
99
106
43
93
MPG (combined)
119
112
118
46
108
Tank Capacity (gal)
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.5
N/A
Bolt is by far the best and most efficient car in the comparison. However, the BMW i3 stands close in the combined efficiency figures to that of Bolt.
Interior
8.5/10
"Quiet, comfortable and spacious, the Bolt EV's cabin has a contemporary design flair that helps offset its abundance of hard plastic and dearth of soft-touch surfaces."- KelleyBlueBook
Seating and Comfort
You will witness generous legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats that makes Bolt comfortable for five occupants. The front seats are thinly padded, but the limited driving range may not make it a matter of concern. You’ll find the heated steering wheel standard on the top Premier variant and optional on the LT trim. You can now slide the sun visors back and forth for better sun blockage.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV seating layout
Model
Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback
Nissan LEAF S hatchback
BMW i3 120Ah hatchback
Toyota Prius C L hatchback
Kia Soul EV wagon
Passenger capacity
5
5
4
5
5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
39.7/54.6/41.6
41.2/54.3/42.1
39.6/53.6/40.5
41.7/52.3/37.0
39.6/55.5/40.9
Second
(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
37.9/52.8/36.5
37.3/52.5/33.3
37.2/49.2/31.9
37.0/51.7/35.0
39.5/54.7/36.0
Infotainment System
With the Bolt’s infotainment, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. You can use them for navigation functions otherwise there’s no built-in navigation offered. You’ll also get several useful EV-specific menus that allow you to extract information like remaining range and battery-energy usage. Bolt’s touchscreen is responsive to most of the smartphones.
2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV Infotainment
Cargo Space
The bolt is practical in its own way. It offers generous cargo space and allows you to store smaller items throughout the cabin. You’ll find spacious compartment behind the electronic shifter for keeping your smartphone. The “floating” dashboard is designed to bring in more space between the front seats beneath the center console.
“The 2020 Bolt EV looks like a funky hatchback instead of a weirdo electric car. That’s probably the point.” The Car Connection
Design and Styling
The base bolt LT trim looks basic and economic, more for economy-minded commutes, while the Premier trim looks dressed up with cool-looking wheels and chrome trim. Its tall stance and chunky appearance make it look like a compact crossover. Chevrolet have done a good job making it look appealing with the available chrome accents on the windows and on the doors.
You will notice some noteworthy safety technologies with the 2020 Chevy Bolt. With the Driver Confidence Package, you’ll get automated emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. With the base Bolt LT model, you only get optional rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot warning.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Crash Test
2020 Chevrolet Bolt Safety Features
Theft-deterrent system, unauthorized entry The theft-deterrent alarm system sounds the horn and flashes the exterior lights to help deter an attempted break-in.
StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
LED Daytime Running Lamps
Passenger Sensing System
10 standard airbags Dual-stage frontal, roof rail-mounted head-curtain side-impact and seat-mounted side-impact thorax protection for front and rear outboard seating positions, and knee protection for driver and front passenger (includes Passenger Sensing System).
Safety belts, 3-point driver, and front passenger includes pre-tensioners and load limiters
Safety belts, 3-point, rear outboard, and center position
Safety belt indicator, driver
Rear child security door locks
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Rear Vision Camera
Competition
7.0/10
Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf is the longest running and one of the most successful EV from the Japanese manufacturer. The car has powerful motor that is able to make 147hp and can travel a total distance of 151 miles on a single charge. Leaf also gets better equipment list than the Bolt and will cost you 7 grands cheaper than the Chevy Bolt
2020 Nissan Leaf
Chevrolet Bolt EV vs BMW i3
Selecting between the Chevy Bolt EV and the BMW i3 comes down to which fits your budget and priorities. The Beemer starts at $7,000 more than what you pay for the Bolt but offers high-end equipment, plush interior and also, the trust of BMW. BMW i3 has almost same efficiency number to that of Bolt but offers much less power than the latter.
2020 BMW i3
Final Verdict
You can easily bet that the Chevy Bolt is important to General Motors. With a price tag of $37,495, you get an all-electric vehicle with a driving range of 248 miles on a single battery charge. GM brought the car into shape in less than two years, preparing it to compete against the anticipated Tesla Model 3. The Bolt is believed to be more like an idea and GM believes the buyers would go for it as it represents an idea of mobility. The new Bolt is affordable, accessible, high-tech, and versatile.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ) about 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
What is the price of Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $37,495 including destination, while the Premier opens at $41,780, both reflecting pricing before factoring in federal tax credits and state or local incentives.
How far the Bolt EV can go?
The 2020 Bolt is good for 238 miles of EV cruising range. Its e-motor boasts solid around-town torque and performance.
What is the 0 to 60 time of Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The Bolt Evo takes 6.5 seconds to reach 60 miles an hour.
