Is it Time to Switch to a Chevy Electric Vehicle?

If you have so-far only owned and driven conventional vehicles – those with internal combustion engines – then you might be wondering if it’s time to look at an Electric Vehicle (EV). In particular, we have customers come to us all the time wondering if a Chevy EV would be the right choice for them or if they should stick with what they already know. While we’d love to be able to give you a simple, blanket answer, the truth is that it really depends upon your particular situation and what you need.

At the moment, there’s really only one Chevy EV to choose from – the Chevy Bolt EV – so it does limit your options if you decide that it’s time to make the switch. That being said, the Bolt EV is an excellent vehicle with a lot to offer, so for people that it works for, it’s a terrific pick. Even better, a number of additional Chevy EV options are in the pipeline and will be released over the next few years, which will give you more freedom to get an EV model and still find the features and design you need. Let’s take a look at what’s currently available and what’s coming soon from Chevy.

The Chevy Bolt EV

First up, let’s start with the Chevy EV you can find at a dealership right now: the 2021 Chevy Bolt EV. In a lot of ways, the 2021 model is very similar to last year’s model, which isn’t a bad thing because the 2020 model featured an updated battery with a greatly improved range. This upgraded tech is still here for 2021, so you are basically getting the best Bolt EV that’s ever been available.

This updated electric drive unit features a system that provides up to 200 hp of motoring power and up to 266 lb-ft of torque. That might not be huge, but since this is a subcompact hatchback car, that’s plenty of power and lets it go from 0 to 60 in just 6.5 seconds. The Bolt EV features an electronic transmission with one-pedal driving that uses regenerative braking to offer excellent efficiency, offering up to 259 miles of range on a full charge. You can charge the Bolt EV from home with either a three-prong outlet or a charging station that can be installed, and available DC Fast Charging allows it to get 100 miles of range off a 30-minute charge.

Inside the Bolt EV, you’ll find just about all you could ask for in terms of style, comfort, and technology. There’s a 10-inch infotainment display in the center of the front dash, along with an 8-inch digital driver display to keep you aware of what’s going on with your vehicle at all times. Available leather-trimmed seating, with heated front and rear seats, and an available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls truly make the Bolt EV a joy to drive. Other available features include a wireless charging pad, rear camera mirror, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system.

As a subcompact model, you might expect the Bolt EV to be pretty cramped, but it actually has a surprisingly spacious interior. You get more than 41 inches of legroom in the front, with more than 36 inches of legroom available in the rear, and a total of more than 94 cu.ft. of passenger space inside. Combine that with nearly 17 cu.ft. of space in the trunk, which is easy to access through the rear hatchback, and you have a Chevy EV that is great for a lot of drivers.

The Chevy Bolt EUV

If you’re interested in getting a Chevy EV soon, but not immediately, then you might consider waiting for the upcoming Bolt EUV, or Electric Utility Vehicle. This is essentially a crossover model built on the same platform as the standard Bolt EV, similar to how many conventional crossover SUVs are built on a car platform. It will have a style and design similar to the Bolt EV, but it is taller and offers greater interior passenger and cargo space.

The Bolt EUV was supposed to be released this summer, but certain uncontrollable issues pushed things back a bit, so it will now be in production this summer and should be available by the end of the year. Because of the delay, we don’t have quite as much information about the Bolt EUV as we’d like, but we know it will be a great option if you want a small or compact electric crossover SUV. We also know it will be the first Chevy model available with Super Cruise, which is GM’s semi-autonomous driving system that allows for hands-free driving and lane-changing without your input.

Unnamed Chevy Midsize EUV

A bit further out on the horizon is the first of two officially announced, but not fully revealed, Chevy EV models. This is going to be a midsize EUV built on a new platform, rather than using an existing platform like the Bolt EUV (that’s part of why the Bolt EUV will be ready sooner). So if you like the idea of an electric SUV, but you need something larger than the Bolt EUV, then you’re going to be well-served by waiting for this beauty.

Details on this model are scarce so far, but we expect it to be pretty comparable to the current Chevy Equinox in size, and it’s sure to be a popular option. Unfortunately, this one isn’t expected until sometime in 2025 (maybe sooner, but a few years off). So, if you need something this year, then it’s not a great choice.

Unnamed Chevy EV Truck

The other model that has been announced as in development, but with no official reveal yet, is an all-electric pickup currently being worked on at Chevrolet. This will be a full-size model, that much has been announced, but otherwise, we really don’t know much about it. It’s a safe bet that GM wants it to be their Chevy EV to compete with the Tesla Cybertruck and the electric F-150 that Ford has announced, so keep an eye on those models to see what kinds of specs and features Chevy will no-doubt aim for with their own eTruck.

Now the bad news: this model will probably be out even later than the midsize EUV they’ve announced. It’s still very early for this truck, and some sources have said it won’t even be in production until 2025, so we might not see it until 2026. However, the future is not set in stone, and with the rapid development of EV technology from all of the major car companies, we may luck out and get to see this model in action sooner.

Time to Switch?

So, is it time to switch to a Chevy EV? Well, if a subcompact hatchback with fantastic range and a sporty motor works for what you need, then we’d say it could be. On the other hand, if you prefer a crossover model, then we’d wait a bit longer for the Bolt EUV and everything it will have to offer. Unfortunately, for the midsize model or an electric truck, you’ve got a few years ahead of you to wait still, so those are a good choice if you’re happy with what you have now and just looking to the future.

Still not sure what kind of vehicle is best for you? Come visit us at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick, and we’ll discuss all of your options, talk about what you need, and make sure you find the perfect car, truck, or SUV. We’ll even let you test the new Chevy Bolt to get an idea of how an electric vehicle feels to drive in comparison to a traditional gasoline model. Even if the small Chevy Bolt is not the right size for you, there is plenty to look forward to in the future.

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