Chevy Bolt EV range is 238 miles: Prime time for the electric car?

[Zorro]

Crowds formed and money seemed to rain from the sky when Tesla began taking deposits for its 200-mile, $35,000 Model 3 electric sedan in the spring.

It will be more than a year before the Model 3 hits the road — and that’s if Elon Musk makes good on his promise to deliver the car by late 2017. But now, Chevrolet has created a Tesla fighter that's similarly priced, with even longer range -- and it'll be available by the end of year.

The General Motors subsidiary announced Tuesday that its 2017 Bolt EV has achieved a federally tested range of 238 miles per charge. That impressive number -- enough to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas without stopping to recharge -- is the best of available battery-powered cars in that price range.

As the first mid-priced, long-range electric vehicle to hit the market, the Bolt could be the most convincing argument yet for mainstream acceptance of an electric vehicle.

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-bolt-ev-range-20160912-snap-story.html

[KeepItReal]

1. Bolt is a "Tesla fighter" like a Chevy Cruze is a BMW 3 Series fighter.

The Bolt's real competition is the Nissan Leaf.

GM's marketing spin ain't gonna pull buyers of the most affordable Tesla yet to their product... Although maybe some will get a 2 year Bolt lease while their Model 3s are the being built.

And if the writer thinks a Bolt's 238 mile range will get them from LAX to Vegas in SoCal traffic, they better bring a AAA membership on the trip - roadside assistance is imminent.

[AngryAmish]

2. And through Death Valley with the AC on.

[KeepItReal]

6. I think the writer will need AAA+ membership with the extended towing range

😆

[cannabis_flower]

3. I guess a good question is..

how long does a charge take. If you could get a charge in Victorville or Barstow you would be OK if it doesn't take long.

[KeepItReal]

5. Victorville ain't Los Angeles. It's way out of town.

And that's not what article is claiming. It says LA to Vegas on a single charge.

[uponit7771]

7. The infrastructure for pack swaps should be setup and then charges wont be needed...

... spend 5 mins at the "swap station" and 40 bucks for the quick service or 30 cents a KWh and charge in 15 mins for instance.

The gov should subsidize the infrastructure for EVs and then the rest of the fossil fuel can go off shore at a premium... no one would have to lose a job etc

[Adrahil]

9. Too long.

Their website says 9.5 hours for a full charge using their 240 V charger. So nearly double that for standard 110 V. They do have a DC fast charge mode that gives about 90 miles range in 30 minutes, which is good for a top up, but requires special public stations.

I'm not sure this car is ready as a complete replacement for a gas-powered car yet, but it's making a case for a local commuter. If the price were more competitive, I'd be tempted.

[uponit7771]

4. Past time for electric cars, the infrastructure for refueling should be subsidized by the government

... and the jobs created on shore to do so would fling the UE rate into the fours

[Adrahil]

10. I agree with this.

Imagine how transformational that could be. Jobs for infrstructure, reduced carbon emissions, technological leadership.... I have a hard time seeing a downside.

[uponit7771]

11. Yeap, it would no doubt create an indigenous industry which would be hard to ship off shore

... since the services have to be done here.

Hell, even the packs would have to be made and serviced here ... no one would want their car caught on fire and then say "well the Chinese said it was good"

[Sherman A1]

8. A step in the right direction

more will be needed, but this is good to see.