2021 Chevy Bolt EV

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an electric vehicle? If a children's remote control car came to mind, then we have some mind-altering news for you! The new 2021 Chevy Bolt EV is unlike anything you've ever seen before. Its five-door hatchback body style gives it somewhat of a mini crossover shape from the outside. This translates to more cargo room on the inside, but we will get to that later. 

Styling

While the Bolt EV may be a battery-electric car, you wouldn't know it from the outside. Its exterior has standard Chevy styling that presents an attractive look without any radical departure from traditional SUV design cues. In fact, the only tell that the Bolt EV is something special is its unique lighting-bolt taillamps. So if you have been avoiding electric vehicles because of their over the top styling, the Bolt EV may be the perfect model for you.

However, this doesn't mean that the Bolt EV looks boring, and it offers plenty of ways to customize your vehicle. With standard 17-inch alloy wheels, bright chrome trim, and standard LED exterior lighting; the Bolt EV offers a solid base to build on. On top of these standard features, you can choose between several eye-catching paint colors that include bright shades of red and blue. You can even choose factory blacked-out Chevy emblems for a sportier look to match the Bolt EV's surprisingly good acceleration.

Both trims of the 2021 Chevy Bolt EV offer plenty of stellar safety systems. One of our favorites is the available forward collision alert with a following distance indicator and automatic emergency braking. These three advanced systems monitor the traffic ahead of you in order to reduce the chances of frontal collisions. The following distance indicator warns you if you are following too closely behind the vehicle in front of you, making sure you have time to react to any sudden situations. If something does occur and the distance rapidly shrinks, the forward collision alert will warn you to take action. Finally, if you fail to apply the brakes in time, the Bolt EV will do so automatically with automatic emergency braking.

Other available safety systems include lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blindspot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and blindspot monitoring all keep tabs on your sides. If another vehicle gets into your blind spot, you will be alerted. If you begin to drift outside your lane, the system will let you know to correct your path. Finally, the rear cross-traffic alert function will monitor what's behind your vehicle while you move in reverse. If a vehicle approaches from the side, the system will alert you to stop. Together, all of these driver assistance systems combine to keep you and your passengers safe wherever your travels take you.

Slighting behind the wheel of an electric vehicle is always fun! Models like this are so different from conventional vehicles, and it's exciting to see all of the futuristic-looking gadgets inside. The 2021 Chevy Bolt EV offers a modern minimalist interior that puts everything you need close at hand. With all five comfy seats in use, it offers 16.9 cubic feet of cargo room in the back. If you fold the back seats down, you can expand this area to a maximum of 56.6 cubic feet. That's a lot more space than a sedan and will allow the Bolt EV to fit everything you could desire. 

Look and Feel

With a two-tone dashboard and fully digital instrument cluster, the Bolt EV offers a somewhat futuristic feel that befits an electric vehicle. The standard infotainment system includes a large 10.2-inch color touchscreen, providing you with all the display space you need for your backup camera view and favorite apps. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, allowing you to sync your phone to your vehicle and enjoy calls, music, navigation, and more display right on the large central screen. The Bolt EV even includes a standard WiFi hotspot, providing you with internet connectivity on the go without eating into your phone's data.

Other Features

One of the advantages of an electric vehicle is that it provides more power for accessories and luxury features. That is why even the base trim of the 2021 Bolt EV comes standard with high-end items like automatic climate control, a 12-volt power outlet, and remote start. These features make the Bolt EV particularly well-suited to keeping you warm and comfortable during cold Indianapolis winters. You can also option the base trim with features from heated seats to a heated steering wheel, providing an even more luxurious winter. Opting for the higher trim makes all those features standard and even brings more standard features such as heated rear seats and an HD surround vision system, providing you with a level of advanced technology that is commonly only found in legitimate luxury vehicles.

The new 2021 Chevy Bolt EV is an all-electric vehicle that is powered by Chevy's BEV2 platform. This powertrain does not use any gasoline, relying entirely on battery power. It has an electric motor that is connected to a lithium-ion battery pack that is hidden under the floor of the vehicle. Chevy engineers like to call this a skateboard design, and it keeps weight low to improve stability. Equipped with front-wheel-drive and MacPherson strut front suspension, this system also uses a torsion-beam arrangement in the back for optimized performance. 

Power

Generating 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, this EV is anything but weak. Not only does it offer considerably more power than competing gasoline compact SUVs, the electric motors of the Bolt EV means that this power comes online instantly for remarkable acceleration. Whether taking off from a stoplight or merging into traffic, you will never lack for power in the Bolt EV. The range is also not an issue. The 2021 model uses a 66-kWh battery pack that offers a driving range of 259 miles on a single charge. And, of course, you will never have to pay for gasoline again.

Charging

As for the charging times, these will vary depending on the outlet and compatible cable that you are using. The slowest is the standard cable using a 120-volt power outlet, which only charges the vehicle 4 miles every hour. But the upside is that this can be used with any standard household power outlet, allowing you to recharge nearly anywhere. If you use a 240-volt power outlet, you get a full charge on the battery in about 10 hours. This is ideal for overnight charging and can be installed in your garage by any certified electrician. Finally, there is the available DC Fast Charging Cable. This will have your Bolt EV ready to drive up to 90 miles in just 30 minutes. That's lightning-fast and is perfect for topping off the car during a long road trip.