Chevy to offer low-price electric car
DETROIT – General Motors on Monday unveiled its battery-powered Chevrolet Bolt, challenging Tesla in the race to produce an affordable electric car.
The Bolt concept car made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, alongside a redesigned 2016 Volt, the second generation of Chevrolet’s pioneering plug-in hybrid.
The all-electric Bolt boasts a groundbreaking combination of low price and long driving range. It will sell in the low $30,000s, after government incentives, and travel up to 200 miles on a battery charge, Mark Reuss, GM’s executive vice president for global product development, said in an interview.
“The Bolt breaks the barrier on range anxiety,” Reuss said.
Most all-electric cars in the Bolt’s price range, including Nissan’s Leaf and Fiat’s 500e, can travel about 80 miles on a charge. Tesla’s Model S has a range of 265 miles, but typically sells for $80,000 to $100,000.
Tesla has garnered headlines with the promise of its Model 3 – at half the cost of a Model S – but that vehicle may be years away.
“The affordable-yet-functional electric car has yet to materialize, remaining an automotive unicorn,” said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelly Blue Book.
Chevy says the Bolt will be on sale by 2017. The car relies on the use of strong but lightweight materials, including aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber.
Los Angeles Times