Chevrolet has updated its all-electric Bolt EV and expanded the range with a slightly longer utility-inspired vehicle called the EUV, both models part of General Motors’ plan to launch 30 new EVs globally by 2025. The 2022 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV were introduced on February 14th via an event and 90-s commercial titled “Magic is Electric,” which was made in collaboration with Walt Disney World Resort (see www.chevy.com/EV).

Since the Bolt EV was introduced in 2017 as the first attainable long-range electric vehicle, with three-quarters of buyers new to GM in the U.S. However, just 100,000 have been sold, so GM is hoping for more with the updates and model addition.

“We want to put everyone in an EV, and the new Bolt EUV and redesigned Bolt EV are crucial to doing so,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “Together, they enable mainstream customers to be part of our vision of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.”

“The new Bolt EUV is the best of the Bolt EV packaged in an SUV-like vehicle with more technology and features, giving customers more choices and reasons to switch to electric,” said Steve Hill, Vice President of Chevrolet.

 

On sale in Summer, huge price cut

The starting price for both vehicles available this summer is less than for the preceding Bolt EV. The 2022 Bolt EUV is priced from $33,995 and the 2022 Bolt EV starts at $31,995 before any available state, local, or utility incentives.

“We’ve lowered Bolt EV’s base price by more than $5000 from the 2021 model, proving our commitment to make EVs attainable for everyone,” said Hill.

However, a limited-production Launch Edition of the Bolt EUV offers Super Cruise, sunroof, unique wheels, special badging, and an illuminated charge port for $43,495 reserved through www.chevrolet.com.

 

Design distinctions

The EV and EUV share an architecture, but their designs are unique with no exterior sheet metal shared between the two.

The EUV is about 6 in (150 mm) longer than the EV for a roomier interior with a focus on rear legroom, which is 3 in (75 mm) greater. The EV/EUV, respectively, are 163.2/169.5 in (4145/4306 mm) long; 69.5/69.7 in (1765/1770 mm) wide; and 63.4/63.6 in (1611/1616 mm) tall, with a wheelbase at 102.4/105.3 in (2600/2675 mm).

Nearly all of the interior passenger 93.9/96.5 ft³ (2659/2734 L) volume differential goes to an increase in the rear, with cargo volume actually being slightly greater for the EV at 16.6/16.3 ft³ (470/462 L) behind the rear seat and 57.0/56.9 ft³ (1614/1611 L) with the rear seat folded.

Curb weight (min) is 3589/3679 lb (1628/1669 kg).

The EUV’s signature lighting includes standard LED headlamps and Chevy’s brand-specific, high-eye daytime running lamps that double as sequential turn-signal indicators. Standard roof rails are meant to reinforce the SUV theme. The EV’s design updates include a more upright front fascia and new front and rear lighting signatures including the signature high-eye daytime running lights in front.

The two designs feature “tech-focused interiors with more premium materials, which are key to our growing EV portfolio,” said Phil Zak, Executive Design Director, Chevrolet.

Both vehicles feature a new instrument panel, controls, and seats. They share a 10.2-in infotainment touchscreen, with separate climate controls, and an 8-in reconfigurable gauge cluster. The electronic “gear shift” design uses pull toggles and push-buttons. A one-pedal driving button for increased regenerative braking keeps the system active between drive cycles. The now flat-bottomed steering wheel incorporates the Regen on Demand paddle.

The redesigned seats feature a triangular geometric pattern and contrasting color stitching. The EUV features heated and ventilated front seats, available heated rear outboard seats, and a panoramic power sunroof.

 

Super Cruise and other tech

The Bolt EUV (in Premier trim) will be the first Chevrolet to offer the Super Cruise hands-free ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) enabled for more than 200,000 mi (320,000 km) of roads in the U.S. and Canada. Headlining features of the ADAS remain a driver-attention system developed by Joyson Safety Systems with Osram Opto Semiconductors and precision LiDAR map data from DMP’s Ushr.

The driver-attention system uses a small infrared camera on top of the steering column to determine where the driver is looking. If it detects the driver’s gaze has turned away from the road ahead for too long, the steering-wheel light bar prompts to return his/her attention to the road. If the system determines continued inattentiveness, it will use visible and audible alerts to notify the driver to take back control of the car.

The standard Chevy Safety Assist on both EUV and EV includes automatic emergency braking, HD rear vision camera, forward collision alert, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, IntelliBeam adaptive lighting, and front pedestrian braking. Available driver assistance technologies for both vehicles include rear cross-traffic alert, HD surround vision, and adaptive cruise control.

Connectivity technologies include wireless Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto phone projection capability, wireless phone charging (available on EV), and an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. New in-vehicle apps include Amazon’s Alexa, Spotify, and The Weather Channel. Alexa enables simple voice commands to play music, get directions, place calls, listen to audiobooks, control smart home features, and tens of thousands of skills.

 

Propulsion carryover, charging improved

Energizing the EV and EUV is the same 947-lb (430-kg) battery energy storage system with 65-kW·h lithium-ion battery pack with 288 cells from LG Chem. It helps deliver an estimated range of 259 mi (416 km) for the EV or 250 mi (402 km) for the EUV. Chevrolet says its active thermal management system, which uses coolant to maintain the battery at its ideal operating temperature, is a primary enabler of its 8-yr/100,000-mi limited battery system warranty.

The single permanent-magnetic drive motor unit delivers 200 hp (150 kW) and 266 lb·ft (360 N·m) with a fixed final drive ratio of 7.05:1 to the 17-in aluminum wheels with Michelin Energy Saver A/S 215/50R17 tires.

With the new Bolts, Chevrolet focused changes on making charging more convenient.

With a new dual-level charge cord, customers will not have to purchase a separate charger for their home. The cord allows them to plug into a standard 120-V outlet for Level 1 charging and a 240-V outlet for Level 2 charging up to 7.2 kW. It is standard with Bolt EUV and available for Bolt EV. Maximum Level 2 charging speed is now 11 kW, but separate charging equipment is required.

The big charging news is that Chevrolet will cover the standard installation of Level 2 home charging capability for eligible customers of the cars in collaboration with Qmerit.

For public charging, General Motors is providing customers with convenient and expanded access through EVgo. The automaker and the U.S.’s largest public fast-charging network are collaborating to triple the number of fast chargers with the addition of more than 2700 chargers around the U.S. by the end of 2025.

Standard DC fast-charging capability enables the EV to add up to 100 mi (160 km) and EUV up to 95 mi (152 km) of range in 30 min.

Chevrolet customers have access to more than 80,000 chargers in North America through the Energy feature within their myChevrolet app.

With the Chevrolet EV Access package, customers can remotely view their current charging status and battery charge level, customize their charge settings, and set up charge notifications via the myChevrolet Mobile App. The Energy feature within the myChevrolet Mobile App can help plan road trips by locating charging stations (including real-time availability) and start a charge session with participating charging networks.