General Motors has developed enough electric cars that it is no longer eligible to get the federal tax credit. It means its electrical products will be more expensive than EVs from Hyundai, Volkswagen, Ford, and other marques. While GM cannot do anything about the government credit, they can certainly lower the price of their EVs, and they did just that with 2022 Chevy Bolt EV. It wears a price tag of $31,995, which is $5,500 less than the 2021 model. It is also $2,000 cheaper than its new sibling, Bolt EV crossover.
The good thing is GM did not compromise on the features while dropping the price. In fact, the 2022 Bolt EV is now more comfortable and more advanced. Chevy has introduced a traditional dash and interior with less focus on futurism.
The new Bolt gets a 10.2-inch display supporting GM’s latest infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Wireless charging is optional while drivers can now use the shifter with a push-button system.
Furthermore, the 2022 Bolt EV provides drivers one-pedal driving experience. The drivers can enable it through a button. The system employs regenerative braking to halt the vehicle in specific driving conditions. When the driver lifts his/her foot off the pedal, the vehicle will start slowing down and use regenerative braking to recharge the battery.
The updated design didn’t hit the size of the EV. It still has more or less the same dimensions, i.e. 69.5-inch wide, a half-inch taller at 63.4 inches and around 0.8 inch shorter in length at 163.2 inches. It makes the Bolt EV around the same size as the costlier 2021 Kona Electric.
Moreover, Chevrolet did not drop the target range for less expensive Bolt. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV still offers 259 miles of range using a 65.0-kWh battery that’s 1.0 kWh less than the outgoing model. The DC fast charging is now standard, enabling owners to use 55 kW charging stations. The automaker says with DS fast charging the owners can add 100 miles in only 30 minutes.
The powertrain is still the same meaning a single motor generates 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque that sends power to the front wheels. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV employs the BEV2 electric-vehicle platform, instead of GM’s new Ultium platform.
No Super Cruise for the EV but it does get the Chevy Safety Assist package. The suite comprises lane-keeping assist and safety features including automated emergency braking and forward-collision alert. Pay more for adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert.
On the whole, the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV has a lot to like at a much lower price than before. This lower price for an improved product shows there is room to drop the prices. The Bolt EV should be on sale this summer.
Source and Images: CarandDriver