We’re at an interesting point in the Chevy Bolt EV’s existence. Recently, Chevy formally unveiled the next-generation 2022 Bolt EV as part of its continuous journey to bring forth more EVs within its lineup. This new Bolt EV sports some impressive additions. However, does this mean that its predecessor is outdated? Hardly. A Bolt EV is still the best used Chevy EV that you can purchase. There were five model years before the 2022 Bolt EV, starting with the original 2017 Bolt EV.
While every Bolt EV runs solely on electricity, models from 2020 onward have an increased range of an impressive 259 miles on a single charge. This is important to note because it’s been confirmed that the new 2022 Bolt EV will not see an improvement in this regard, meaning you can opt for a used model, and receive an identical level of efficiency while saving money. As the 2020 Bolt EV is beginning to appear more frequently in used markets, is it the ultimate used Chevy EV? For most drivers seeking an EV at an affordable price, the Bolt EV is the definitive answer, but you may be wondering why that is. Let’s take a closer look in and find out.
Performance and Efficiency
The main selling point of any electric vehicle is efficiency. For the 2020 Bolt EV, the increase in range ensures that you’ll be saving money and saving the environment at the same time. This is because EVs produce far fewer emissions than standard gasoline-powered engines – none at all, in fact, as there is no engine. Instead of an engine, EVs such as the Bolt EV feature a combination of a battery and motor, with the ability to recharge when plugged in. The 2020 Bolt EV contains a 66-kWh battery, which is larger than any of the previous model’s batteries.
Models before 2020 will still produce the same amount of power, albeit with a 60-kWh battery that ultimately results in slightly less range. Regardless of which used Chevy Bolt EV that you purchase, it’ll produce the same 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque as the latest model. Driving an EV is unlike anything you’ve ever driven, and this is because of the lack of traditional transmission. Instead, the motor can accelerate smoothly, lending to an almost magical feeling.
Battery size is important to note in this case, simply because a bigger battery can hold more of a charge, thus lending itself to a longer ride. This means you’ll be spending more time on the road, and less time charging at your home or a dedicated charging station. Still, the 60-kWh battery seen on every Bolt EV before 2020 is capable of holding enough of a charge to travel 238 miles. So it is unlikely that you will often find yourself running low on charge.
In comparison, the 66-kWh battery can travel up to 259 miles on a single charge, which is about an 8.8% longer distance. As previously mentioned, this remains the maximum range of the Bolt EV for the foreseeable future as the recently announced 2022 model has been confirmed to have an identical powertrain. Because of this, we also speculate its EPA-estimated ratings will remain the same in the new model as previous variants such as the 2020 Bolt EV.
Significant Standard Features
One of the most significant advantages that the Bolt EV has over its competitors is a bustling set of features that come standard. Many of the features that will come included with your Bolt EV are often reserved for additional upgrades that sport an extra fee on other vehicles. Firstly, ever since its inception, every Bolt EV model comes equipped with one of the most intuitive infotainment centers out there. Displaying the infotainment center is a gigantic 10.25-inch screen that vastly outmatches many other infotainment centers in the Bolt EV’s price range. This is true for any used model you purchase, whether it’s from 2020 or even as far back as 2017.
Even if it were for the screen-size and basic feature-set alone, the Bolt EV would be an intriguing offer to any tech-oriented driver. However, it doesn’t stop there, and you’ll find a host of extra features that come integrated with your infotainment center. Most importantly, these extra amenities come at no extra charge. Features such as Bluetooth come standard, so either you or any of your passengers can select the music for your ride directly from their smartphone or another wireless device. Also coming standard with the Bolt EV is a rear-view camera, with later models such as the 2020 variant offering a high-definition video output for much greater clarity on the screen.
Another notable feature that comes standard with the Bolt EV is a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Features such as this are rarely seen as a standard feature like it is here, and its inclusion will make plenty of drivers content with a secure and fast internet connection that they can use for streaming music. Passengers can make good use of the hotspot, too, as they can bring along wireless devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones and always have an internet connection to utilize. There are also plenty of USB ports and outlets to power those devices – and the large battery pack of an EV means you can leave them to charge even when the car is off.
Tech-centric features have become increasingly popular on vehicles, mainly because the world essentially revolves around technology now. Electric vehicles such as the Bolt EV are a glimpse into the future, and they support many of the most state-of-the-art features, two of which are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Both of these are present on every Bolt EV model and allow you to pair your smartphone with the vehicle. Features such as hands-free phone calls are revolutionary, and virtual assistants such as Siri make it easier than ever to ask for navigation or even change a song hands-free. Additionally, your infotainment center will replace its standard interface with one that resembles your smartphone, making it pure muscle-memory to navigate through.
Buy Your Used Chevy Bolt EV Today
Unlike many other vehicles out there, the Chevy Bolt EV can retain relevance for far longer than many of its competitors. While this may be the case because of its short time in the market so far, it’s undoubtedly advantageous for drivers shopping for a used vehicle. Models such as the 2020 Bolt EV and even earlier variants have so far stood the test of time, and with an ever-increasing shift over to electric vehicles, now is the perfect time to jump in.
If you’re looking to purchase a used Chevy Bolt EV today, come visit our dealership. At Parkway Chevy, our services and an impressive selection of Chevy vehicles ensure that we’re one of the very best Chevy dealerships in the greater area of Houston, Texas. Upon visiting our dealership, feel free to browse through our extensive lot of popular new and used Chevy models, and our knowledgeable sales team is always here to assist. We’re located at 25500 SH 249, Tomball, TX. At our dealership, the customer always comes first, and we look forward to assisting you.
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