I drive a 2018 Chevy Bolt. It’s fast, reliable and fun to drive. No range anxiety. Easy to park. Very low maintenance cost. One pedal driving. I rarely use the car’s brake. Good handling and quiet driving. Best car GM has built in the US. A bit overpriced, but prices will come down. I drive without guilt for the environment. No battery degradation after 10,000 miles. No regrets. Get one!

I bought a pre owned 2017 Bolt EV a couple weeks ago with only 8900 miles on it. I am so far very pleased. Its the only GM car I would consider buying since it is all electric.

BOLT. The best car I have ever owned.

We're proving you right. We bought one four days ago!

Accepting that hindsight is 20/20, the Bolt EV is still one of the most available EV’s that uses proper liquid battery thermal management. I’ve been looking at EV’s and I’ve been bouncing back and forth between the big outlay on a Bolt or hunting for a Spark EV b/c aside from the Tesla’s, they are almost the only options in the US with the real deal in terms of managing battery ten RIGHT. No compromises with hot environs or repeated rapid charging that I’ve seen. GM is not pushing sales of this car, I’ve got to agree. But the US public is only recently starting to get it that we have to start RUNNING toward renewable energy and adapting out lifestyle toward that end. Look back at this car now 1+ years in the ‘rear view mirror’ and let me know if GM really did such a ‘vanilla pudding’ job of it or if the really did hit it out of the park for a company that by necessity has to keep two feet in ICE b/c of their established customer base and the US refueling infrastructure. Do I want GM to do more? Absolutely. I’m just more on the side of vocally supporting them for doing WAY MORE than any other old school vehicle manufacturer in the US that is US-centric in customer base. Thank you for the great objective review!!

Great video. Also much fun to watch. I agree, the Bolt EV 2017 is a great car. Just purchased it two weeks ago.... Love it!

My 1st gen volt gets 35-40 miles electric range and 32 on gasoline. A great car.

25mpg real world. Did you own one! I comfortably did 35 to 45 mpg...and so did many owners.

Great review. Some things to dislike about the Bolt (such as the binary feel to regen braking and reliance on resistive heating rather than supplementing a heat pump system with resistive heating ), but those few negatives are vastly outweighed by the positives of this vehicle.

I saw about dozen of these this past weekend, one at a DC charger in San Mateo CA, 2 or 3 on the freeway, one at a stop light that promptly outgunned my eGolf, and about 7 at a dealer in Redwood City. They will sell like mad in the bay area, I just hope they help adopt EV's into not so ev friendly places...

Just a heads up if you want to get more views, searching Chevy Bolt doesn't turn up your video in the search results; you may want to add in a tag or something so it does. Great video by the way!

I have one of the LT trim cars. really fast and fun to drive. the cost was closer to $39k for me. then I added a couple of options... heated seats and steering wheel were extra, but so worth it. driver confidence package (blind spot warning, lane departure warning )

I have an '18 Bolt Premier...the seats have been improved.

Hi Nikki, I really liked this review you did on the Bolt. I live in Ottawa, Canada, and right now the dealers are saying there is a 3 year wait list for one ! ! ! ! ! Yep, you read this right.....3 Y E A R S ! ! ! ! ! ! :O Reason being is that Chevrolet is limiting the amount that certain dealers can get their hands on. And the dealer that I was at said they are only allowed to get 6 Bolts per year. Enough of that for now though. I know you hear this all the time but I'm going to tell you again; I LOVE your EV vehicle reviews. I like your delivery, I like that you don't pull any punches....you tell it like it is. I stumbled upon your KZfaq channel during my KZfaq site surfing evenings on EV's. In my efforts to become as thoroughly informed on EV's as I can, I saw one of your reviews pop up. So I gave it a listen. . . And I'm glad I did. Keep up the good work and keep the news & reviews coming.

Per comment about heat pumps, the Tesla Model S has electric resistive heat, so it will lose a bit of extra range in the winter. Tesla's reason for this is that it uses the refrigeration circuit to increase cooling capacity for battery to facilitate higher rates of DC (supercharger) charging. It would be exceedingly difficult to have two completely independent refrigeration circuits on one vehicle. Do remember, though, that the Bolt and Model S heating systems are not binary. They are not going to consume 6kW continuously as long as it is on, but just when really working hard. Their power output modulates as required for cabin heat demand.

I keeps seeing this information about the first gen Volt only delivering 20 miles real world electric range. Where does that come from? I have a used first gen volt that I've had for over a year and a half. It has over 60k miles on it and regularly delivers 35 - 38 miles of range. And you can ask anyone who rides with me I'm not light on the peddle! I think the first gen volt is an amazing value and an excellent way for anyone who wants an inexpensive electric commuter car that they can also take on road trips. Oh yeah and I get 35 mpg in gas mode on road trips. Where does all the first gen volt hate and misinformation come from?

I know this is an old video but I bought a used second gen Volt recently and therefore am now getting some residual EV videos in my feed. I want to thank you so much for putting into words the issue with the rear view camera because i have not been able to figure it out. I installed one in my Volt because as much as I love the car, the visibility is terrible. The rear view monitor as you called it seems like a perfect solution but I'm having a really hard time getting used to it. It is sort of a matter of trust. I have been seeing reflection in the mirror for going on 25 years. Now I am seeing a very different view (focal length as you say) and I am not trusting the different view from the back. I think I'll get used to it though and it is much better than the tiny window that is way too high in the Volt. Also I subscribed to you channel because you admitted that you don't want to see your kids. Reason 2 for getting the camera. 😂 I mean I love them but...

Actually, according to the Chevrolet website, the DC Fast Charging is a $750 option on the LT and the Premier. It isn't standard on any model.

Whoah, wait, you say the Volt did 25 miles of real world range? Don't go all Fox News on us now, Nikki! The temps have to drop below freezing before I see 25 miles range. :/ I can get close to 45 miles without trying too hard in good weather, and also right about 45mpg which isn't bad for a car like that!

enjoyed the review. Thanks for going to the effort doing it.

That's why you Pre-Heat an electric car when it's charging. The best would be a timed start the pre-heating or cooling when charging!

+Transport Evolved. I loved watching this, Nikki. It has a depth of quality and information that's a bounds and leaps ahead of what I expect from the rest (Motortrend, Jalop, WIRED, etc) Absolotely spot on review! It's only a shame Mark Chatterly wasn't there beside you.

I get 40 miles of electric range in my 2012 volt. love it great car not sure what she's talking about lol.

The Premier doesn't come with the DC fast charging -- at least not in the US. No matter the trim, the DC fast charging is a $750 option. You're right -- it should be included. That being said, check out the window sticker of a Nissan LEAF S. Without the "quick charge" option, it only has a 3.3kW charger and no DC fast charging. You want to add that option? No problem -- it's over $1700 (can't remember the exact digits). That adds the 6.6kW charger and the CHAdeMO charger. That's more than 2 times the price of the Bolt's DC fast charge upgrade. I believe these features come in the SL and SV as standard.

hey Nikki thank you for the great video did the car you drove had the Bose sound system and if yes how was the Quality? thank you for your info best regards from Austria

What Nikki says about the camera in the mirror is true, it is a different depth perception. I was concerned when I first started driving that I wouldn't use it. However... I just ended up leaving it on and a funny thing happened. Your mind will figure it out and it becomes natural. I use it all the time now. Works great.

A heat pump always has resistive heating as well for when it gets too cold and the heat pump cant provide heat at an efficient coeficcient of performance (COP). That happenes first at aroung -7C/19F as far as I know.

Love your channel. Thanks for all the EV videos

Weight distribution of the Bolt - I believe it is near perfect. All FWD vehicles are nose heavy. Most RWD front engine vehicles are somewhat nose heavy. What car are you comparing the Bolt to when describing weight distribution?

Enjoyed the review, very informative. I would love to test drive a Chevy Bolt. Maybe own one.

Awesome! Loved the video! Keep em comming!

thanks for the great analysis

I'm waiting for my Model 3, but Bolt seems to be a way more practical, plus you can surely get the 7.5k. Still.. I want my Tesla!

Do more reviews! Informative and naturally funny!

9:12 Actually the production e-Golf does have adjustable regen, as well as a nice D/B toggle, both via the shifter (took me almost a year to discover the toggle).

Great review! I can't wait to see you review the model 3 haha

Wow, your review and your delivery of information is really practical and enjoyable to listen to.

Subbed, good review!

Great review!

The best review I have heard yet of the Bolt! Thank you!

Wonder how much would CCS option cost in Opel Ampera E this isde of Atlantic?

you had me at "pick the dogs" lol

Very well done review. I like it!

Good review. Really disappointed that it won't be built in Right Hand Drive.

Nice real world review of the Bolt. A few inaccuracies regarding the second generation Volt, however, are worth commenting on. I have a 2017 Volt. When in use, the ICE routinely provides more than 40 mpg. As for purely electric range, the estimated range of my Volt is up to 75 miles now (due to the conservative way in which I drive it). Since new, the ICE in my Volt has never been self-actuated because I have never run beyond the batteries' range (the car is driven in the city as a commuter). The Volt is a great car, and a compelling alternative to purely electric vehicles. It has also been in production since 2011 -- longer than any other EV.

Thanks! Great to keep on top of this fast changing market!

great review.

Has the level 2 and quick charge connectors been standardized between vendors? That quick charge connector doesn't look like the one I had on my 2012 Leaf. Perhaps I am not remembering it correctly.

Thanks for the great review. Just to say again, in Canada (where I live) the DC Quick charge is STANDARD for ALL cars here.

Thanks!

13:15 "It's not the biggest trunk I've ever seen" ... that's what she said!! :-D (Jokes aside, great review) :-)

Very nice review.

Hi, I was wondering if you have any information on the Sondor three wheel Ev that was coming out? Also, how did you make out with the Bolt problems? I definitely love hearing about other Ev s as I will be a new owner of the Mustang Mach E when ever they release it. I like tesla's but cost is a big deal for me. Fixed income. Keep up the classy youtube site. Mark

I am glad that GM has done this. Yes GM only build cars as a way of making money but that does not detract from this real achievement.

I took a test drive in a Bolt LT today and enjoyed the ride, but it has a lot of hard plastic and the adjustable arm rest was a bit flimsy and hard to adjust. Additionally. the salesperson knew very little about the car other than how to start and drive it. He was unable to really tell me anything about the other tech in the car. His reason being that they have not sold many EVs. After the test drive, I took a look at the other Bolt on the lot which was a Premium and I must say that there was a dramatic difference in the interior amenities, but the difference in price was astronomical. The LT came in at $38.5k and the Premium at a whopping $48.5k. While at these prices you could not get a Tessa Model S or X, a Model 3 would certainly be within the realm of possibilities and with more refined tech. Consequently, I am going to wait and see what the new 2018 Nissan Leaf has to offer in the SV at $32.5k and SL at $36.2k configurations. Also, I am concerned about how committed Chevy is to their electric brand since I see these cars as an attack on Tesla.

Such a shame this wont be available in the UK :-(

This seems like a fine little vehicle. However, I do not trust GM to market it sufficiently. Will they adequately train their sales staff? Can you have it serviced at ANY GM dealership (the vast dealership network is supposedly one of the benefits to owning a GM product). The next half-year will be very interesting.

For an EV aficionado you seem a bit out of sorts with the concept of one pedal driving. "Keep it in "D" and feather the brakes" -- really? I have a LEAF and now a Bolt EV. I drive the LEAF in "B" mode all the time. Want to slow up a little? Just lift off the accelerator. Oh sure, you can't come to a stop, but given I don't have a full charge leaving home (which kills "B" mode regen in the LEAF), I can descend down the 1000' altitude difference to work with only using the brake for stop signs and stop lights. The Bolt EV steps it up a notch. I've read and seen other reviewers who have the same conclusion as me: Always drive in L mode. Once you embrace the tech and learn "one pedal driving" you will never go back. Now when I drive our LEAF I'm wishing the "B" mode had a bit more regen in it. When I drive the gas car, I whine (my wife will confirm) all the time I go down hills because I have to apply the brake to slow it down. What a stupid design and look at all that potential energy going to waste! Fortunately, the LEAF goes back in a coupe months -- but then I'll be stuck with the Fiat 500e while my wife enjoys the Bolt EV. Enjoy, honey, 'cause next year the Fiat goes back and I'll be driving the Model 3 :)

Looks like a nice little car. I would buy one if only they made a RHD version for the Australian market. Looks like I will hold on to my Model 3 reservation and wait instead. Love the show.

Hey Nikki, any comments on the article from EV Obsessions re Hybrid Industries 48kwh battery upgrade for Nissan Leaf?

Very good review and you are not the only one to point out about the rear view mirror so it's not just your eyes. As for selling 10,000 Bolts in 2 years that would be bad more like 6 months. The Renault Zoe will achieve that sort of figure I am sure.

You do a great job, Nikki. EV reviews by someone who specializes in EV reviews ... what a concept.

Can you explain why the bolt does not come with a spare tire? What is Chevy doing about this? What would be some good options for a spare tire in the bolt for the consumer?

Interesting that in Canada, CCS charging is included in all trims.

This is a very informative review. I honestly should have waited for this car before I purchased my BMW i3. GM in my opinion has hit a home run with this car, and that’s coming from a committed German car driver. There should be a comparison video of the Bolt and the i3 since I think they’re close competitors as far as size and design go.

Nice video, would love more like this stuff!

funny Nikki I love it, oh did I forget to mention that I love the car too😋 love the car I want one. what a beautiful drive what a location clap clap clap thanks for sharing

The price on this in Canada is ridiculous, I could get a nicely equipped BMW 2 series for less money and still have plenty of change for gas for the next few years.

While really hating to mention this, here's a fact. What is really needed then in cold countries is a method of heating that also adds in some electric charge to the batteries. Micro-ICE has to be explored. Think radical, think turbo-charged tiny engines like 100cc to 600cc. It's all about triples now - GM, Ford, VW, Volvo, Renault, Triumph, Yamaha, all have triple cylinder gas engines (petrol). I think, 300cc petrol engine, 3-cylinder counterbalanced, would do it. I know, awful and sacrilege and all that! Fact is, if you can use all the heat from something, and all the shaft output from it into a small generator, you have an efficient use of that something. In effect, extreme cold turns the fossil-engined motors into an efficiency more like the electric motor's 90% than its own 15%. If you can make use of all the output of something, it's efficient. Batteries seem to need remarkably similar environment to humans, room temperature seems good. Micro-ICE has a future I believe. Remember, on the basis of intermittent use purely for heat and charging, the fuel use might be 1 gallon per 200 miles. What do your passengers do, while the driver enjoys the heated steering wheel?!

Nice review. What would also be helpful is mentioning if/where charging is available. Unlike Tesla, GM seems to be very hands off when it comes to charging stations. This will not be a problem in in Europe but right now I would say that in most of the US this car can only be a local commuter car. For me being limited to 100 mile travel radius would cover most of my driving but would require I either have a second long distance vehicle or budget for rental cars.

Why the seats are so narrow? They are over 2 inches smaller to the Nissan Leaf...

try and show what you say in words for example "rear camera is not clear" show the center console screen :)

Hello Nikki, are you planning on displaying your knew Bolt EV at the National Drive Electric Week in Portland Oregon? Great over all choice in your knew ride!

Question? In situations driving slowly though a flooded road where the water is even with the center of the axles how well protected is the battery and electrics?

:) Nice review, thank you........ :)

Don't hear much road noise in this Bolt. My Model X seems to have a bit of it, possibly some door seal issues I need to have looked into.

Why do automakers always bail after having really good initial ideas? Just look at the grille on the production version vs the original: 2:04 vs 16:14. GM did the same thing with the Volt: the first show model looked super sexy -- then some marketing geek complains "it's too out of the ordinary" et voilà! - Volt v2 is suddenly a dull-as-mud Malibu lookalike. When will it learn?

the model 3 will be a soccer mum car too. high seating position is just more pleasant for the average buyer.

Heat pump story is wrong. In very cold weather (-15C and below) heat pump just deactivates and normal PTC heating element is used. Absolutely no difference between vehicle that has and that doesn't have heat pump from there on. In addition to less range loss reduction between chilly and very cold weather it also means power bill reduction. Over the years heat pump actually pays itself off (depending on electricity prices of course).

:) Nice introduction to this vehicle....... :)

So Nikki would you buy this car over a Leaf?

Great video! I like the camera shots and other videos interspersed, and a good review with real world opinions. Chevy's loss with the UK, although I'm happy to wait for Model 3 as Tesla's motivations and vision put every other automaker to shame in all honesty. I wish them all the best, the Bolt looks to be good if they make enough of them!

So is there any talk of GM putting this platform into any other model? In the next 2 years?

So if I bought the Chevy Bolt today. Could I take a road trip in it and visit family traveling from California to Texas?

Nikki, did you know chevy had a Spark EV? they do... did i mean. fully electric.

Good review in general. I would comment on few things. 1. Keep in mind that GM actually made the EV1 and no other manufacturer made an EV at that time. This alone is a great achievement by GM and they deserve huge respect for that. Who killed EV1 is absolutely clear and I am honestly surprised that you still do not see it and so many people believe in propaganda that GM killed it and people did not want it. It is so simple: Oil companies lobbied government, government forced GM to discontinue EV1. Everything else is a pure propaganda to protect oil companies. There always was a market for EVs and GM saw it. GM had no interest in killing EV1. 2. Volt never drove as Prius. You had gen 1, you must know it. Volt uses electricity as primary source of energy, Prius uses gas. I assume you meant a non plug in Prius. 3. According to other reviews, Bolt's range at the temperature close to freezing with mixed city-highway driving is closer to 250 miles than to 200 miles. I guess you have not tried it but made a statement about the range. I have not seen a single test yet that is less than 200 miles but I read many that were 250+.

The Bolt is coming to the UK as an Opal Ampera E.As a plus size lady did you find the seats to narrow?

I've been enjoying your videos - I'd like to better understand the comment regarding the "traditional" heating system vs the heat pump - I actually believe the traditional system is more efficient - I'm.a current Volt owner - when needed, I simply use Comfort mode to quickly heat (or cool) the interior then move it to Eco mode to be more efficient. I've found that if I use Eco mode only, I will never get as comfortable. While this is not a direct comparison to traditional vs heat pump - I believe it illustrates the use of traditional vs heat pump. You indicate that others (Tesla, et al) use heat pumps - is that correct? Do you have any info regarding the energy required for both AND the comfort factor? Thanks - keep up the good work.

In to which US States has Bolt EV been released . . . . any in the northeast US ?

Imo the Tesla Model 3 at base price starts at the top price of the Chevy Bolt, and I'm sure will top out very near $70, 000 to maybe $90,000(?) , for that reason I don't think the two should be compared anymore...meanwhile watch this space to see where the Leaf replacement will fit in..

Looking forward to the Tesla Model 3 Review

guess I'll be getting a Zoe 40 then...

Great review. Thanks.

18:24 -- is Mary Barra really, really tiny, or is Nikki really, really tall (she says 5'10" but look at 18:27), was there a radical change in the Bolt form factor between the two shots, or is that an optical illusion?

25 miles? Gen 1 Volts get a "real world" range of 34 miles-I can easily get 40 above 40F. 50 in the summer. (You're great by the way!)

like your show.. suggestion: need to improve video quality please, need to look less fuzzy and sharper.. cheers.

Without adequate fast charging stations, range anxiety will still exist, albeit less frequent.

the leafs range never impressed me. 200 miles is standard for me and I wouldn't buy anything less. the bolt is very affordable

Good car! But although there's a lot of amazing technology entering the automotive industry at the moment, I think adaptive steering was always a stupid idea. I want car to feel predictable, and have never once thought "wow if only I had better power steering, this maneuvering is really tiring me out"

if it sells only 10000 of these it will be a shame