Chevrolet Bolt

Not to be confused with Chevrolet Volt.
Chevrolet Bolt

Chevrolet Bolt see through image from Chevrolet
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Opel Ampera-e (Europe)
Production scheduled to start in Oct 2016
Model years 2017-
Assembly United States: Orion Assembly Detroit, Michigan; Battery, motor, drive unit at LG, Incheon, South Korea
Body and chassis
Class Small car (B)
Body style 5-door CUV
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform GM Gamma G2SC
Powertrain
Engine 150 kW (200 hp) permanent magnet motor/generator, torque 266 lb.ft./360 Nm
Transmission Electronic Precision Shift, final drive ratio 7.05:1
Battery 60.0 kWh lithium-ion, 288 cells, 96s3p
Electric range >200 miles (GM estimate pending final tests)
Plug-in charging 120V, 240V AC, SAE Combo DC Fast Charge
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,601 mm (102.4 in)
Length 4,166 mm (164.0 in)
Width 1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Height 1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Curb weight 1,624 kg (3,580 lb)

The Chevrolet Bolt, also known as the Chevrolet Bolt EV, is an all-electric crossover developed by Chevrolet and is scheduled for availability in late 2016 as a model year 2017.[1] The Bolt was previewed in production form at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, with further details released subsequently during the 2016 North American International Auto Show.[2] The European version, marketed as the Opel Ampera-e, will go into production in 2017.[3]

GM anticipates the Bolt will deliver an all-electric range more than 200 mi (320 km), with a cost beginning at $30,000 — after a federal electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500. As of early 2016, this is more than double the range of other electric cars available in the United States — except for the Tesla Model S (with a base price roughly twice the Bolt's "net" $30,000 cost) and the BYD e6, the latter sold as a fleet vehicle.[4]

Beginning in late 2016, the Bolt will be manufactured at GM's Orion Assembly plant, which is receiving a US$160 million upgrade to the Bolt's production.[5]

Specification

The Bolt will feature batteries using a "nickel-rich lithium-ion" chemistry allowing the cells in the Bolt to run at higher temperatures than those in other EV's, allowing a simpler and cheaper cooling system for the 60 kWh battery pack and reducing vehicle cost. The battery pack weighs 960 pounds (440 kg) and is composed of 288 flat "landscape" format cells (similar in shape to cells used in other GM products, but contrasting the cylindrical 18650 cells used by Tesla). Cells are bundled into a groups of three, and there are 96 groups across the pack.[6]

In October 2015, General Motors said they will purchase the Bolt's batteries at a price of $145 per kilowatt hour from LG Chem, reportedly about $100 cheaper per kWh than the price LG was giving other customers at the time.[7][8]

Other specifications include a 200 hp (150 kW) and 266 lb·ft (361 N·m) electric motor, acceleration from 0-30 mph in 2.9 seconds and 0-60 mph in less than 7 seconds, top speed of 91 mph, and SAE Combo DC fast charging that can add 90 miles of range in 30 minutes or fill the battery to 80% capacity in an hour. The motor drive unit includes an Electronic Precision Shift system. The number of available gears has not been publicized, with Chevrolet reporting a final drive ratio of 7.05:1.[9][10]

History

The Bolt was unveiled in concept form at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.[11]

Alan Batey, head of General Motors North America, announced in February 2015 that the Bolt EV was headed for production, and would be available in all 50 states.[12] The Bolt will be sold also in select global markets.[5]

As of June 2015, General Motors has been testing more than 50 Bolt prototypes hand-built at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan. The cars are tested at the proving grounds and overseas locations for ride and handling dynamics, cabin comfort, quietness, charging capability, and energy efficiency.[13]

Mary Barra, General Motors CEO, announced in February 2016 that the European version, marketed as the Opel Ampera-e, will go into production in 2017.[3]

Comparisons

While initially expected to share its lithium-ion battery technology with the second generation Chevrolet Volt,[14][15] the production version of the Bolt uses batteries with a different chemistry more suited to the different charge cycles of a long-range electric vehicle compared to the more frequent charging/discharging of hybrids and short-range EVs.[16]

The Bolt battery capacity is 1.5x the size of the initial entry level 40 kWh Tesla Model S that was rated at EPA range of 139 miles[17] and is the same size as the more well known but no longer produced 60 kWh Model S.

Name confusion

Chevrolet has acknowledged that there is confusion about having two vehicles with a similar sounding name (Bolt and Volt).[18] However, in April 2015 Chevrolet's marketing chief, Tim Mahoney, announced that GM had decided to keep the Bolt name for the production model.[19]

A similar confusion is expected among European customers with the Bolt variant destined for the continent. The Opel Ampera-e is just one letter off from the Opel Ampera, the previous-generation Chevrolet Volt sold in Europe. The similar monikers might confuse some customers who think the new all-electric hatchback is closely related to the old plug-in hybrid sedan.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chevrolet Commits to Bolt EV Production" (Press release). Chicago: General Motor. 2015-02-12. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  2. ↑ "Drive Unit and Battery at the Heart of Chevrolet Bolt EV" (Press release). Detroit: Chevrolet pressroom. 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  3. 1 2 Korosec, Kirsten (2016-02-11). "GM Unveils an All-Electric Car for Europe". Fortune (magazine). Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  4. ↑ "Find a Car: New Electric Vehicles". Fueleconomy.gov. 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  5. 1 2 Henry Payne (2015-11-19). "Chevy Bolt EV to be revealed in January at CES". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  6. ↑ Jeff Cobb (2016-01-11). "Chevy Bolt EV’s Battery Is As Big As A Tesla’s". HybridCars.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  7. ↑ Jay Cole (2015-10-23). "LG Chem “Ticked Off” With GM For Disclosing $145/kWh Battery Cell Pricing – Video". Inside EVs. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  8. ↑ Jonathan M. Gitlin (2016-01-06). "Chevrolet’s Bolt is an electric vehicle for the masses—and we’ve driven it". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  9. ↑ Mike Szostech (2016-01-11). "Chevrolet Bolt EV Full Specs Released at NAIAS this morning". Retrieved 2015-01-11.
  10. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2016-01-11). "More 2017 Chevy Bolt powertrain details revealed". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  11. ↑ Brandon Turkus (2015-01-12). "Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept foreshadows an affordable, 200-mile EV future [w/videos]". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  12. ↑ John Voelcker (2015-02-12). "GM Officially Confirms It Will Build Chevy Bolt Electric Car With 200-Mile Range". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  13. ↑ Greg Migliore (2015-06-24). "Chevy ramps up development of Bolt EV". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2015-06-24.
  14. ↑ Brian Thevenot and Jerry Hirsch (2015-01-12). "Chevy Bolt electric car targets Tesla with low price, long range". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  15. ↑ Doron Levin (2015-01-12). "Lightning in a sedan? GM reveals the Chevrolet Bolt". Fortune (magazine). Retrieved 2015-01-13.
  16. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2016-01-11). "Chevy Bolt EV's battery shows big improvements over Spark's". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  17. ↑ https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=33612
  18. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2015-02-20). "Chevy admits there's confusion over Bolt and Volt names". Autoblog. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  19. ↑ James R. Healey, (2015-04-16). "'Bolt' name is a keeper, says Chevy marketing boss". USA Today. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  20. ↑ Bruce, Chris (2016-02-12). "Opel Ampera-e brings a Bolt of EV driving to Europe". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-12.

External links

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