Chevrolet Bolt
The Chevrolet Bolt EV (marketed in Europe as Opel Ampera-e) is a battery electric subcompact hatchback produced by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque. The Bolt was produced from late 2016 to mid-2021, subsequently restarting in early 2022, until late 2023. In mid-2023, GM officials said they would cancel the car, then three months later announced plans but no date for a next-generation model.
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
|---|---|
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Also called | Opel Ampera-e (Europe; 2016–2021) |
| Production |
|
| Model years | 2017–2023 |
| Assembly | Battery/drivetrain, HVAC and instrument/infotainment systems at LG, Incheon, South Korea, with final assembly: GM Orion Assembly, Lake Orion, Michigan |
| Designer | Sangyeon Cho |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact car |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-motor, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | BEV II |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | 200 hp (149 kW) permanent magnet motor/generator, 266 lb⋅ft (360 N⋅m) torque |
| Transmission | 1-speed Electronic Precision Shift, final drive gear ratio 7.05:1 |
| Battery |
|
| Electric range |
|
| Plug-in charging | 120 V, 240 V AC, J1772, SAE Combo DC (CCS) Fast Charge |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 102.4 in (2,601 mm) |
| Length | 164.0 in (4,166 mm) |
| Width | 69.5 in (1,765 mm) |
| Height | 62.8 in (1,595 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,563 lb (1,616 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Spark EV |
The first generation was developed and manufactured with LG Corporation. Sales of the 2017 Bolt began in California in December 2016, it was released nationwide and international markets release in 2017. A rebadged European variant was marketed as the Opel Ampera-e in mainland Europe.
In 2017, the Bolt was the second-best-selling plug-in car in the United States. It was named the 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the 2017 North American Car of the Year, an Automobile magazine 2017 All Star, and was listed in Time magazine's Best 25 Inventions of 2016. The Ampera-e was discontinued after 2018. By the end of 2020, GM had sold 112,000 Bolt and Ampera-e cars worldwide.
The first-generation Bolt has been subject to at least three recalls. At least 16 Bolts have caught fire, leading to a recall to fix or replace battery components and GM's August 2021 advisory to park in open areas, at least 50 feet (15 m) away from other vehicles.