2022 Chevy Bolt EV Has Same 259-Mile Range but Is $5500 Cheaper
The New 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV
General Motors, along with several other major car manufacturers, has already sold enough EVs that they no longer qualify for the federal tax credit that was the key incentive in lowering the cost of producing and manufacturing electric vehicles—which was surprisingly passed onto the consumer.
Even without the federal tax credits, Chevy has still managed to lower the cost of the 2022 Chevy Bolt. Base model pricing begins at $31,995, which is a hefty price drop of $5500 compared with the 2021 Bolt currently for sale at Chevy Dealerships. The new price-point is also $2,000 less than the brand-new 2022 Bolt EUV crossover.
Not only is the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV less expensive, but according to a General Motors spokesperson, it has also undergone several key improvements that were based on customer feedback. Most importantly, they claim that the seats are more comfortable and the interior is more contemporary than the previous models.
Rather than the 8.0-inch digital display that carries over from the current Bolt, the dashboard layout and interior look more like a regular Chevy and less like a futuristic electric car. A new for the Bolt 10.2-inch display houses GM’s latest infotainment system and also supports both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections.
A wireless charger is an optional feature, and the Chevy has updated the shifter to a push-button system that sits in the center console.
Roughly the Same Footprint
While the look got an overhaul, the overall size of the Bolt has remained the same—with the same 69.5-inch width, but a half-inch taller at 63.4 inches and about 0.8 inches shorter, lengthwise, at 163.2 inches.
This makes the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV nearly about the same size as the now more expensive 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. Trunk space clocked in at 16.6 cubic feet, 0.3 cubic feet less than the 2021 model. With the 60/40 split seats down, that goes up to 57.0 cubic feet. The Bolt beats the Kona Electric with the seats that are down by 11.2 cubic feet but loses to the Hyundai in terms of trunk space by 2.6 cubic feet.
While the interior and exterior have taken on a new appearance, the 2022 Bolt EV’s specs are nearly the same as the 2021 Bolt. The 2022 model still reports a targeted 259 miles of range from a 65.0-kWh capacity battery, which is a decrease of 1.0 kWh from the 2021 numbers. AC Level 2 charging has been improved and supports up to 11 kW.
The now-standard on all models DC fast charging sits steady to support up to 55 kW, just like the previous generation. Chevy says that you’ll be able to add 100 miles of range via DC fast charging in only 30 minutes.
The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV is still powered by a single motor delivering 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. The underlying tech beneath the vehicle remains virtually the same since the Bolt is still based on the BEV2 electric-vehicle platform and not GM’s new proprietary Ultium platform.
Out With the Old, In With the New
The 2022 Bolt EV also now has a new button on the center console that lets the driver enable one-pedal driving, which uses regenerative braking to slow the vehicle down to a stop without using the brake pedal in certain driving situations.
How does the new technology work?—well, when a driver lifts their right foot off of the gas pedal, the EV automatically begins to slow down instead of continuing to coast like standard combustion engine vehicles. It's being compared to the same result as if the driver has placed their foot gently on the brake.
As the vehicle slows down, it also recharges the battery—hence why it’s being referred to as regenerative braking. In theory, and at their own discretion, EV drivers can actually drive around town using only the gas pedal.
While the 2022 Bolt EV doesn't get access to GM's Super Cruise technology like its new more expensive sibling—the Bolt EUV—the 2022 Bolt EV comes standard with the Chevy Safety Assist package, which includes lane-keeping assist, and standard safety features such as automated emergency braking and forward-collision alert. For the base 2022 Chevy Bolt EV, Adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert are optional add-on features.
More of the Same
Overall, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV offers drivers more of the same, with a visual redesign that takes into account customer feedback and is being offered to the surprise of many at a much lower cost.
Technology-wise, it’s interesting that the Chevy design team didn’t move to the new for 2022 Ultium platform, especially since many of the other Chevy Vehicles in 2022’s lineup, including the Silverado, have made the change. As technologies and the market shift more toward Electric Vehicles, it’s safe to assume that Chevy Bolt EV prices will continue to fall much more into the affordable, everyday consumer threshold. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EV will be in showrooms this summer.
Where to Test Drive the New 2022 Chevy Bolt EV in Phoenix
It’s up to you to decide which Chevy Vehicle best suits your unique needs. The great news is that no matter which option you select, you can be rest assured that you’ll be riding in style.
Stop by your nearest Phoenix Chevrolet dealership to test drive each of the available models to see which one is the perfect fit for you and your family’s needs.