2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV marked a significant turning point for mainstream electric vehicles, offering a compelling blend of long-range capability, practical usability, and modern technology at a more accessible price point. It was designed to democratize the electric car, making it a viable option for a wider audience seeking an eco-friendly and cost-effective daily driver.
Highlights
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Powertrain: The Bolt EV is powered by a single electric motor driving the front wheels.
- Horsepower: 200 hp
- Torque: 266 lb-ft
- Battery: A 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides the energy.
- Range: Impressive 238 miles on a single charge (EPA estimated), a class-leading figure for its time. This made it a truly practical option for commuting and longer trips without significant range anxiety.
- Charging: Supports Level 1 (standard household outlet), Level 2 (240-volt home or public charging), and DC Fast Charging. A DC fast charger can add approximately 90 miles of range in 30 minutes.
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Safety Features: The Bolt EV was well-equipped with a suite of advanced safety and driver-assist technologies, designed to enhance awareness and prevent collisions.
- Standard Safety Features:
- Rearview Camera: Aids in backing up and parking.
- StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System: Helps maintain control in slippery conditions or during sudden maneuvers.
- Antilock Braking System (ABS): Prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Alerts the driver to low tire pressure, improving safety and efficiency.
- Available/Optional Safety Features (often included in higher trims or optional packages):
- Forward Collision Alert: Warns the driver of an imminent front-end collision.
- Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking: Automatically applies the brakes to mitigate or avoid a low-speed frontal collision.
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning: Steers the vehicle back into its lane if it drifts unintentionally and alerts the driver.
- Lane Departure Warning: Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane.
- Side Blind Zone Alert: Detects vehicles in the driver's blind spots and alerts them with a visual indicator in the side mirror.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Warns the driver of approaching traffic when reversing out of a parking spot.
- Surround Vision: Uses multiple cameras to create a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the vehicle's surroundings, aiding in parking and maneuvering.
- Rear Park Assist: Provides audible and visual cues to help the driver park in tight spaces.
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Trims:
- LT: The well-equipped base trim that offered a substantial list of standard features, including the impressive range, a 10.2-inch diagonal color touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a good selection of safety features.
- Premier: This top-tier trim added further enhancements for comfort, convenience, and safety. It typically included features like leather seating, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, roof rails, and often bundled the more advanced driver-assist systems like Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking.
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Other Notable Aspects:
- Spacious Interior: Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Bolt EV boasts a surprisingly roomy and airy cabin, thanks to its EV-specific platform and the placement of the battery under the floor.
- One-Pedal Driving: Features a "Sport" mode that allows for strong regenerative braking, enabling one-pedal driving. This means the driver can accelerate and decelerate primarily using just the accelerator pedal, capturing energy back into the battery during deceleration.
- Modern Infotainment: The large central touchscreen and intuitive infotainment system made for an enjoyable user experience, with seamless smartphone integration.
- Futuristic Design: The Bolt EV presented a distinctive, modern, and somewhat futuristic exterior and interior design that set it apart.
What to Expect
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Ownership Experience: Owning a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is generally characterized by a smooth, quiet, and responsive driving experience. The instant torque from the electric motor provides brisk acceleration. The long range makes it a practical daily driver for most commutes and errands, often allowing for a week of driving between charges for many users. Charging at home overnight on a Level 2 charger will typically fully replenish the battery, ready for the next day. The one-pedal driving mode can take some getting used to but becomes intuitive and can be quite enjoyable, adding to the unique EV driving feel.
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Maintenance:
- Reduced Maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine vehicles, leading to significantly less routine maintenance. You can expect to skip oil changes, spark plug replacements, and exhaust system checks.
- Key Maintenance Items: Primary maintenance will focus on tires (rotation and replacement), brake fluid checks, cabin air filter replacement, and wiper blade replacement. The brake pads themselves tend to last longer due to regenerative braking.
- Battery Health: While the battery is designed for longevity, its capacity will naturally degrade over time and with use. Chevrolet offered an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty for the 2017 model, which is a crucial consideration for potential buyers of used Bolts.
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Insurance:
- Higher Premiums (Potentially): Electric vehicles can sometimes have higher insurance premiums compared to comparable gasoline cars. This can be due to the higher initial purchase price (though the Bolt was relatively affordable), the cost of battery replacement if necessary (though rare and covered by warranty), and specialized repair knowledge required.
- Shop Around: It's always recommended to get quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the most competitive rates. Providing your insurer with details about the safety features and the vehicle's specific characteristics might also be helpful.
Potential Considerations
- Initial Charging Infrastructure: While improving, public charging infrastructure in 2017 was not as widespread as it is today. Planning for longer trips required more consideration of charging station availability.
- Heating Efficiency in Cold Weather: Like many EVs of its era, the Bolt EV's range could be noticeably reduced in very cold temperatures due to the energy required to heat the cabin. However, Chevrolet did incorporate some thermal management systems to mitigate this.
- Ride Comfort: Some reviewers noted that the ride could be on the firmer side, especially over rougher road surfaces, which might be a consideration for those prioritizing a very plush ride.
- No All-Wheel Drive: The Bolt EV was exclusively front-wheel drive, which might be a limitation for drivers in areas with heavy snow or who prefer the added traction of all-wheel drive.
- Limited Infotainment Updates: As a 2017 model, the software and infotainment system might not have received the same continuous over-the-air updates that newer EVs benefit from, although core functionality remains strong.
Overall Summary
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV was a groundbreaking vehicle that successfully demonstrated the viability of long-range electric car ownership for the mass market. Its exceptional range, practical interior, engaging driving dynamics, and robust safety features made it a compelling choice for environmentally conscious consumers and those seeking a cost-effective and technologically advanced daily driver. While it had a few minor considerations typical of early mainstream EVs, its overall package represented a significant leap forward in electric mobility.
