The Chevrolet Bolt Has Totally Trumped Tesla’s Model 3

[OKIsItJustMe]

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602365/the-chevrolet-bolt-has-totally-trumped-teslas-model-3/

[font face=Serif][font size=5]The Chevrolet Bolt Has Totally Trumped Tesla’s Model 3[/font]

[font size=4]Though it has only a small edge in terms of range, GM’s all-electric car will get to market well before Tesla’s Model 3 does.[/font]

by Jamie Condliffe | September 13, 2016

[font size=3]Nobody likes waiting. And with the announcement that the Chevrolet Bolt’s range is going to outdo the Tesla’s Model 3, GM is about to take full advantage of that fact.

Internally, GM has referred to the all-electric Bolt as their “Tesla fighter” for some time. The fight is now heating up, as GM announced today that, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, the Bolt will boast a range of 238 miles. And GM says it will be on the market for $37,500 later this year.



The Tesla Model 3, by contrast, will have a range of 215 miles and cost $35,000. Elon Musk is “fairly confident” that deliveries will begin in 2017.

Leaving aside concerns about styling (which Tesla would surely win) or maintenance (for which Chevrolet can offer 3,200 dealers, compared to Tesla’s 208), if you want an electric car soon, it looks like the decision is a fairly easy one to make.

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[underpants]

1. 23 more miles trumps paying $2,500 more?

Not for me.

[cojoel]

2. GM can discount

It will be interesting to see how much they discount. Tesla doesn't have to. At least for a while.

It will be interesting so see what develops in the market when GM and Tesla surpass the 200,000 vehicle limit for buyers to get the $7500 Federal Income Tax Credit. I think Tesla will cross that point first.

[tinrobot]

3. Tesla owners pay $10,000 for 35 miles

The 70D gets 259 miles, the 90D gets 294.

$2500 seems like a bargain for 23.

And that is if the price difference really is that much for similarly configured vehicles. Nobody has released final pricing, so we're just guessing here as to what each car will/will not include.

[madokie]

4. I like the looks of the Bolt

more than the Tesla

[NickB79]

5. For a family car, hatchbacks trump sedans any day

Nothing like being able to open the hatch, fold down the seats, and stuff whatever you can think of in there.

I'd go with the Bolt from a pure practicality standpoint.

[kristopher]

6. Tesla's "Model 3 Hatchback" nt

[NickB79]

7. Meh, it's a low hatchback

The higher roofline of the Bolt improves cargo capacity. It reminds me of a Toyota Matrix I used to have; great multi-purpose car.