The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt now has more range, topping the previous mainstream EV hatchback leader by a single mile.
- Chevy has increased the Bolt’s range by 21 miles.
- Pricing for the 2020 Bolt starts at $37,495, including destination.
- Engineers changed the chemistry of the current battery pack to gain extra miles.
Top of the heap
The Chevrolet Bolt has been given a jolt of additional range for the 2020 model year. Previously, this five-door had an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles. With the 2020 variant, that gets increased to 259 miles, according to Chevy.
For comparison, the standard Tesla Model 3 is capable of traveling 240 miles before it runs out of juice. Upgrading to the Long Range or Performance trims nets you a substantial 310 total miles of range — though for a lot more than the entry-level version.
Among similarly priced competitors, the Bolt now has the longest range. It has an edge on the Nissan Leaf, which offers a maximum range of 226 miles in its new Plus trim. Also, the Kia Niro, which can go 239 miles on a charge. But the real bogey for GM was Hyundai’s Kona Electric, which used to be the top-rated at 258-miles. Yes, that’s now just a single mile less than the 2020 Bolt.
More juice for the Chevrolet Bolt for free
So what wizardry did Chevy come up with to gain this added performance? Engineers reworked the chemistry of the Bolt’s existing battery pack to eke out the additional miles without having to expand the size of the battery pack. And with a starting price of $37,495, the 2020 model costs the same as the 2019 Bolt, so the extra miles come free.
To make owning an EV easier on a day-to-day basis, the Bolt includes an Energy Assist feature that’s part of the myChevrolet smartphone app. This allows a Bolt driver to plot a course, locate charge points along a given route, and receive a notification if it appears the car won’t have the range needed to complete a trip. Chevrolet has also teamed with Qmerit, to help streamline the process of obtaining quotes from electricians for in-home charging units.
Why this matters
The Chevrolet Bolt was ground-breaking when it debuted in 2016. But it has been on sale for three model years already, and newer affordable long-range EVs like the Kona and Niro have stolen some of its mojo. Extending the range of the Bolt’s battery at no additional cost will certainly make it more attractive to buyers.
