Articles about Chevy’s Bolt
We’re now on our second Chevy Bolt and as a result I’ve written a lot about the Bolt. In addition there has been a number of news stories about the Bolt and GM’s on and off again plans to produce the car in the future. I am assembling the articles here for my friends, colleagues, and family members who drive a Bolt.
Winter Range Loss (or Not) Chevy Bolt EV in Bakersfield California
By
Paul Gipe
Recently I fielded a query from friend seeking comment on a widely circulated article by Recurrent on winter range loss in EVs. The implication of the query was that this somehow implies that EVs are not suitable in the winter. Worse, that if you like to hike and explore the outdoors, you can’t use an EV because of winter range loss. In other words, keep driving that low-mileage Subaru or big SUV if you want to go skiing or hiking in the mountains during the winter.
Battery Degradation 2020 Bolt Relative to 2017 Bolt EV
By
Paul Gipe
With our Pandemic Peregrinations we’ve driven our 2020 Bolt EV far more during its first year of operation than we did our previous 2017 Bolt during its first year. We drove the 2020 Bolt about 50% more during its first year (~15,000 miles) than we did the first year of our 2017 Bolt (~10,000 miles). You’d think that we’d see more traction battery degradation as a result, but that’s not the case. In fact, we see less–about half less.
GM rolls out software update limiting Chevy Bolt EV charge to 80%, but removes parking restrictions
By
Fred Lambert
GM announced that it is starting to roll out a new software update to Chevy Bolt EVs as part of its recall due to battery fire risks. It will limit the state-of-charge to 80%, but it will remove other restrictions, like not being able to park inside garages.
Covid Escape: Darwin Falls via Ridgecrest and Return via Coso Junction
By
Paul Gipe
Darwin Falls on the western edge of Death Valley National Park is a 3.5 hour drive from Bakersfield via Ridgecrest, California and the Panamint Valley. This requires one charge stop at Inyokern in a Chevy Bolt or equivalent EV. You can make a big loop by returning via a charge stop at Coso Junction. The falls are a two mile roundtrip hike. This is a trip in an EV that’s best done with an overnight in Ridgecrest.
GM says Chevy Bolt EV battery production has resumed, defect leading to fire risk is fixed
By
Frederic Lambert
GM announced today that LG is resuming production of batteries for Chevy Bolt EV as the manufacturing defect leading to the fire risk has been fixed.
Many Chevy Bolt EV Owners Ignoring Charging Safety Rules amid Recall
By
Sebastian Blanco
With fires at risk, Bolt owners awaiting battery replacement have been given guidance on how much to charge the battery and where. Nearly a third are ignoring it, says one study.
