Chevrolet today introduced the Bolt EV, a concept car demonstrating the brand’s future plans for an all-electric vehicle featuring a 200-mile range and a price tag starting at $30,000.
“The Bolt EV concept is a game-changing electric vehicle designed for attainability, not exclusivity,” says Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. “Chevrolet believes electrification is a pillar of future transportation and needs to be affordable for a wider segment of customers.”
Drivers will be able to select operating modes designed around preferred driving styles (i.e., daily commuting, weekend cruising), which adjusts accelerator pedal mapping, vehicle ride height, and suspension tuning.
The long-range vehicle utilizes lightweight materials — aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber, and woven mesh — to minimize curb weight while helping to maximize range, Barra says.
The car’s capabilities go beyond its affordability and range, however, thanks to the Bolt EV Connect app. The concept application allows drivers to use a smartphone in lieu of a key fob as well as make reservations and manage payment processing for ride-sharing situations.
The app also incorporates concept automatic park-and-retrieval technology, which enables the driver to exit the vehicle and tell the Bolt EV concept to park itself.
IN OTHER CHEVROLET NEWS, the brand also unveiled today the 2016 Volt, which delivers 50 miles of EV range.
Expect to hit dealerships in mid-2015, the new Volt offers an estimated total driving range of more than 400 miles. With regular charging, owners can expect to travel more than 1,000 miles on average between gas fill-ups.
“The 2016 Chevrolet Volt provides our owners with a no-compromise electric driving experience,” says Alan Batey, president of GM North America. “We believe our engineering prowess combined with data from thousands of customers allows us to deliver the most capable plug-in vehicle in the industry.”
