Raising the bench-mark for long range affordable electric vehicles.
Chevrolet has confirmed that its all-electric Bolt EV hatchback will have expanded range when the 2020 model goes on sale later this year. On a full charge, the ’20 Bolt EV will have an EPA-estimated 417 km of range on a full charge, a 34 km increase over previous model years.
“The Bolt EV set the bench-mark for long range, affordable electric vehicles and we’re excited to raise the bar by offering nearly 10 percent more EPA-estimated range for the 2020 model year,” Tim Grewe, Director of Global Battery Cell Engineering and Strategy said in statement. “At Chevrolet we’re constantly listening to customer feedback and we heard the desire for more range. The team worked diligently to find ways to improve battery energy, giving customers the confidence to go more than the extra kilometre.”
The range increase was achieved via improvements made to the energy of the cell electrodes by making changes to the cell’s chemistry. Interestingly, GM’s battery engineers were able to achieve the range increase without having to change the physical battery pack and the way it is integrated into the vehicle structure.
“Since its launch in 2016, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has been changing perceptions of electric vehicles,” said Laura Pacey, Brand Director of Chevrolet in a statement. “Its new range of 417 km makes it appeal to an even wider audience. Great range, now even more, is the foundation of Bolt EV’s success. When paired with features like one-pedal driving, Regen on Demand and the instant-torque of the EV motor, the vehicle delivers an exceptional driving experience, which makes it fun to drive every day.”
Currently all Bolt EV owners have access to Chevrolet’s exclusive Energy Assist feature through the myChevrolet App. Energy Assist allows customers to view and search for charging stations, plan a trip with multiple waypoints and/or charging stops and monitor the route and get alerts if the route becomes invalid. Earlier this year the myChevrolet App was updated to enable projection of the Energy Assist feature to the vehicle’s infotainment system via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for drivers with model year 2017 or newer Bolt EVs.
The 2020 Bolt EV will also receive two new exterior colours: Cayenne Orange Metallic (additional-cost option) and Oasis Blue.
Keyword: 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV to offer EPA-estimated 417 km range