Chevrolet drops prices on Bolt EUV; projects 247-mile range on a charge

Now, the Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) begins at $27,200 (plus $995 freight) for the base LT model, with prices ranging as high as $32,195 for the top-of-the-line Premier Redline model.

Other trim levels include the LT Redline model ($27,695) and Premier ($31,700). The 2023 Premier price is down $5,800 from that of the 2022 Premier model we tested last year.

For this report, we tested the 2023 Premier Redline model, which was created by adding the $495 Redline Appearance Package to the base Premier price of $31,700. The Redline package brought a black upholstery with red contract stitching, black wheels with red accents, red exterior mirror stripes, and a black and red exterior badge. 

EPA ratings show an estimated range of 247 miles on a full charge, with a charging time of 7.5 hours at 240 volts. GM’s own statistics indicate a charging time of 10 hours with the provided dual-voltage charging cord at 32 amps. With a Level 3 fast charger, GM says the Bolt EUV can be charged to up to 95 miles of range in just 30 minutes.

The Bolt EUV’s 150kW electric motor is rated at 200 horsepower and 266 foot-pounds of torque. The car has a 65kWh (kilowatt-hour) lithium-ion battery pack.

There is Electronic Precision Shift with one-pedal drive mode, which slows and can fully stop the vehicle when the driver moves the foot off the accelerator pedal. 

While the regular Bolt EV has a hatchback car design, the Bolt EUV takes on the proportions of a small crossover utility vehicle, with only electric drive available.

General Motors says the new Bolt EUV carries the same “proven technology that helped make the Bolt EV the industry’s first affordable, long-range electric vehicle.”

The smaller Bolt EV also has lower prices for 2023, starting at $25,600 (plus $995 freight), and ranging to $28,800.

Both models  are part of GM’s plan to launch 30 new electric vehicles  globally by 2025.

While widening Chevrolet’s electric-vehicle lineup, the Bolt EUV also became the first Chevrolet vehicle to offer Super Cruise, the industry’s first true hands-free driver assistance system for enabled roads. This feature was included on our tester for an added package charge of $2,200. 

The Bolt EUV model also helps make EV charging more convenient because of its new Dual Level Charge Cord, which for many customers will eliminate the need to purchase a separate charger for their home, Chevy says.

It has a changeable plug that allows the customer to connect to a standard 120-volt three-prong outlet for Level 1 charging, or a 240-volt outlet for Level 2 charging at up to 7.2 kilowatts.

The Dual Level Charge Cord is standard on the Bolt EUV and is an option on the smaller Bolt EV.
For maximum Level 2 charging speed, both vehicles are now capable of 11 kW Level 2 charging, but separate charging equipment (not included) is required, the automaker says.

Curiously, with both years of the Bolt EUV we have tested so far, we were not able to charge the vehicle using standard 115-volt power outlets at our home — which we routinely use without a problem for other EVs we test.

On both vehicles, we got an “Unable to Charge” error message on the instrument panel whenever we tried plugging the vehicle up to our garage 115-volt outlet. We tried a different outlet on our front porch, and got the same message.

Nevertheless, anyone who buys a Bolt or any other EV should have Level 2 charging capability at home, so the vehicle could be charged up fully overnight. 

Chevrolet says it will cover standard installation of Level 2 charging capability for eligible customers who purchase or lease a Bolt EUV or Bolt EV, helping even more people experience how easy it is to live electric.

For away-from-home public charging, GM is providing customers with convenient and expanded access to EVgo, which is billed as the nation’s largest public fast-charging network.

GM and EVgo are planning to triple the number of fast chargers, adding 2,700 more across the country by the end of 2025.

The Bolt EUV has a modern, muscular design and a roomier interior than that of the Bolt EV, including ample rear legroom. The Bolt EUV has three inches more rear legroom than the Bolt EV.

It also features a sculpted grille and signature lighting, including standard LED headlights and Chevy’s high-eye daytime running lights, which double as sequential turn signal.

Other styling cues include a center crease line that runs from the front fascia through the hood, along with seamless horizontal body lines that give a sense of motion even when the vehicle is standing still. Standard roof rails are included.

Driving the Bolt EUV is fun, with lots of torque available from the start with the electric motor. Ride comfort and handling are similar to those of the Chevrolet Trax small crossover, which is about the same size.

Chevy Safety Assist is standard on the Bolt EUV, and includes safety and advanced driver assistance technologies such as Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, IntelliBeam and Front Pedestrian Braking.

Our vehicle came with the Silver Flare Metallic exterior color, and the Jet Black leather interior. It also had 17-inch wheels; a 10.2-inch touch screen for the infotainment system; eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment, with two-way lumbar adjustment; six-way manual front passenger seat adjustment; 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel; heated/ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats; eight-inch driver-information screen; rain-sensing front wipers; and heated/power outside mirrors with turn signals.

Wireless device charging was included, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; rearview camera mirror; HD Surround Vision cameras; and rear parking assist.

There is 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which expands to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

Besides the Super Cruise package, our tester came with the Sun & Sound Package ($2,495), which brought a Bose seven-speaker audio system, and a panoramic dual-panel sunroof. 

Total sticker price for our 2023 Bolt EUV Premier model was $37,885, including freight and options.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The package: Compact, five-door, five-passenger, electric-powered, front-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle.

Highlights: Chevrolet added the EUV – Electric Utility Vehicle – to the Bolt line for 2022, a new model slightly larger than the Bolt EV hatchback. It has an advertised range of 247 on a full battery charge.

Negatives: Longer trips can be a challenge with battery range.

Engines: 150-kilowatt electric motor.

Transmission: Single speed.

Power/torque: 200 HP./266 foot-pounds.

Length: 169.5 inches.

Curb weight range: 3,680-3,715 pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Cargo volume: 16.3 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 56.9 cubic feet (rear seatback folded).

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; roof-mounted side-curtain for both rows.

Electronic stability control: Standard. 

Fuel capacity/type: 65 kWh lithium-ion battery pack; eight-year warranty.

EPA fuel economy (mpg-equivalent): 125 city/104 highway/115 combined.

Base price range (2023): $27,200-$32,195, plus $995 freight (before any federal or state tax rebates/credits, if available).

Price as tested: $37,885, including freight and options (2023 Bolt EUV Premier).

On the Road rating: 8.0 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.