Chevrolet Bolt

Not to be confused with Chevrolet Volt.
Chevrolet Bolt

Chevrolet Bolt see through image from Chevrolet
Overview
Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Opel Ampera-e (Europe)
Production scheduled to start in Oct 2016
Model years 2017-
Assembly United States: Orion Assembly Detroit, Michigan; Battery, motor, drive unit at LG, Incheon, South Korea
Body and chassis
Class Subcompact (B)
Body style 5-door Hatchback
Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform GM Gamma G2SC
Powertrain
Engine 150 kW (200 hp) permanent magnet motor/generator, torque 266 lb.ft./360 Nm
Transmission Electronic Precision Shift, final drive ratio 7.05:1
Battery 60.0 kWh lithium-ion, 288 cells, 96s3p
Electric range >200 mi (320 km) (GM estimate pending final tests)
Plug-in charging 120 V, 240 V AC, SAE Combo DC Fast Charge
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,601 mm (102.4 in)
Length 4,166 mm (164.0 in)
Width 1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Height 1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Curb weight 1,624 kg (3,580 lb)

The Chevrolet Bolt, also known as the Chevrolet Bolt EV, is an all-electric subcompact vehicle developed by Chevrolet on an updated Gamma II platform shared with the next generation subcompact Chevrolet Sonic. It is scheduled for availability in limited markets in late 2016 as a model year 2017.[1] The Bolt was previewed in production form at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, with further details released subsequently during the 2016 North American International Auto Show.[2] The European version, marketed as the Opel Ampera-e, will go into production in 2017.[3]

GM anticipates the Bolt will deliver an all-electric range more than 200 mi (320 km), with pricing starting at US$37,500 before any applicable government incentives.[4] As of early 2016, this is more than double the range of other electric cars available in the United States — except for the Tesla Model S, Model X and the BYD e6 (fleet vehicle); and the upcoming Tesla Model 3.[5]

Beginning in late 2016, the Bolt final assembly will occur at GM's Orion Assembly plant in Detroit, which is receiving a US$160 million upgrade for the Bolt's and Sonic's production. The battery, motor, drive unit will be manufactured at LG, Incheon, South Korea. [6]

History

The Bolt was unveiled in concept form at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.[7]

Alan Batey, head of General Motors North America, announced in February 2015 that the Bolt EV was headed for production, and would be available in all 50 states.[4] The Bolt will be sold also in select global markets.[6]

Chevrolet Bolt EV concept at the 2015 North American International Auto Show

As of June 2015, General Motors has been testing more than 50 Bolt prototypes hand-built at the General Motors Proving Grounds in Milford, Michigan. The cars are tested at the proving grounds and overseas locations for ride and handling dynamics, cabin comfort, quietness, charging capability, and energy efficiency.[8]

In January 2016, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the production version of the Chevrolet Bolt was unveiled. At the show, during GM CEO Mary Barra's keynote, Chevrolet confirmed an estimated range of 200 mi (320 km) or more, around US$30,000 price after government incentives, and stated it would be available in late 2016.[9]

Mary Barra, General Motors CEO, announced in February 2016 that the European version, marketed as the Opel Ampera-e, will go into production in 2017.[3]

On March 22, 2016, GM released photos and a short teaser video showing that the Bolt had entered pre-production at the company's Orion Assembly plant outside Detroit, testing manufacturing processes and tooling for the vehicle before it goes into regular production.[10]

Specifications

The Bolt will feature batteries using a "nickel-rich lithium-ion" chemistry allowing the cells in the Bolt to run at higher temperatures than those in GM's previous EV's, allowing a simpler and cheaper cooling system for the 60 kWh battery pack and reducing vehicle cost. The battery pack weighs 960 pounds (440 kg) and is composed of 288 flat "landscape" format cells (similar in shape to cells used in other GM products, but contrasting the cylindrical 18650 cells used by Tesla). Cells are bundled into a groups of three connected in parallel, and 96 groups connected in series compose the pack.[11]

Production version of the Chevy Bolt at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.

In October 2015, General Motors said they will purchase the Bolt's batteries at a price of $145 per kilowatt hour from LG Chem, reportedly about $100 cheaper per kWh than the price LG was giving other customers at the time.[12][13]

Other specifications include a 200 hp (150 kW) and 266 lb·ft (361 N·m) electric motor, acceleration from 0–30 mph (0–48 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in less than 7 seconds, top speed of 91 mph (146 km/h), and SAE Combo DC fast charging that can add 90 mi (140 km) of range in 30 minutes or fill the battery to 80% capacity in an hour. The motor drive unit includes GM’s new Electronic Precision Shift, which replaces the standard hydraulic shifter with an electronic controller. The number of available gears has not been publicized, with Chevrolet reporting a final drive ratio of 7.05:1.[14][15]

While initially expected to share its lithium-ion battery technology with the second generation Chevrolet Volt,[4][16] the production version of the Bolt uses batteries with a different chemistry more suited to the different charge cycles of a long-range electric vehicle compared to the more frequent charging/discharging of hybrids and short-range EVs.[17]

Name confusion

Chevrolet has acknowledged that there is confusion about having two vehicles with a similar sounding name (Bolt and Volt).[18] However, in April 2015 Chevrolet's marketing chief, Tim Mahoney, announced that GM had decided to keep the Bolt name for the production model.[19]

A similar confusion is expected among European customers with the Bolt variant destined for the continent. The Opel Ampera-e is just one letter off from the Opel Ampera, the previous-generation Chevrolet Volt sold in Europe. The similar monikers might confuse some customers who think the new all-electric hatchback is closely related to the old plug-in hybrid sedan.[20]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Chevrolet Commits to Bolt EV Production" (Press release). Chicago: General Motor. 2015-02-12. Retrieved 2015-02-17.
  2. ↑ "Drive Unit and Battery at the Heart of Chevrolet Bolt EV" (Press release). Detroit: Chevrolet pressroom. 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  3. 1 2 Korosec, Kirsten (2016-02-11). "GM Unveils an All-Electric Car for Europe". Fortune (magazine). Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  4. 1 2 3 Brian Thevenot and Jerry Hirsch (2015-01-12). "Chevy Bolt electric car targets Tesla with low price, long range". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  5. ↑ "Find a Car: New Electric Vehicles". Fueleconomy.gov. 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  6. 1 2 Henry Payne (2015-11-19). "Chevy Bolt EV to be revealed in January at CES". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  7. ↑ Brandon Turkus (2015-01-12). "Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept foreshadows an affordable, 200-mile EV future [w/videos]". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  8. ↑ Greg Migliore (2015-06-24). "Chevy ramps up development of Bolt EV". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2015-06-24.
  9. ↑ Mike Szostech (2016-01-06). "Chevrolet Bolt unveiled at CES Today". Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  10. ↑ Baldwin, Roberto (2016-03-22). "Chevy is getting the Bolt EV ready for production". Engadget. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  11. ↑ Jeff Cobb (2016-01-11). "Chevy Bolt EV’s Battery Is As Big As A Tesla’s". HybridCars.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  12. ↑ Jay Cole (2015-10-23). "LG Chem "Ticked Off" With GM For Disclosing $145/kWh Battery Cell Pricing – Video". Inside EVs. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  13. ↑ Jonathan M. Gitlin (2016-01-06). "Chevrolet’s Bolt is an electric vehicle for the masses—and we’ve driven it". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  14. ↑ Mike Szostech (2016-01-11). "Chevrolet Bolt EV Full Specs Released at NAIAS this morning". Retrieved 2015-01-11.
  15. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2016-01-11). "More 2017 Chevy Bolt powertrain details revealed". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  16. ↑ Doron Levin (2015-01-12). "Lightning in a sedan? GM reveals the Chevrolet Bolt". Fortune (magazine). Retrieved 2015-01-13.
  17. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2016-01-11). "Chevy Bolt EV's battery shows big improvements over Spark's". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  18. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2015-02-20). "Chevy admits there's confusion over Bolt and Volt names". Autoblog. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  19. ↑ James R. Healey, (2015-04-16). "'Bolt' name is a keeper, says Chevy marketing boss". USA Today. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  20. ↑ Bruce, Chris (2016-02-12). "Opel Ampera-e brings a Bolt of EV driving to Europe". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-12.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet Bolt EV.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet Bolt EV concept.


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