Test Drive Chevy Bolt is game changer in auto industry

The Chevrolet Bolt EV / Courtesy of GM Korea

By Jhoo Dong-chan

The long-anticipated Chevy Bolt electric vehicle (EV) was finally offered for a test drive during this year’s Seoul International Motor Show at the KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The Bolt, which won the 2017 North American Car of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show in January, proved to be excellent, not only with its driving range but also in performance, hinting at an industrial upheaval in the nation’s auto market.

The reporter had previously been offered a test drive of the Hyundai Motor Ioniq EV sedan, the performance of which was good enough to dispel any misgivings about EVs _ slow and boring machines with batteries that may suddenly discharge while driving. The Chevy Bolt EV rises to another level, showing how automobiles could develop.

The Bolt is equipped with a 60 kWh high-capacity battery and has a driving range _ made official by the Ministry of Environment in December _ of 383.17 kilometers a charge. A GM Korea official said the range could be extended depending on how it was driven.

During the carmaker’s auto event last month, the Bolt travelled more than 470 kilometers on a single charge. The Hyundai Ioniq EV’s driving range is only 191 kilometers, but dropped to 170 kilometers after the air-conditioner and music were turned on during the test drive last year.

The Bolt’s driving range was never compromised with performance during the test drive.

The car mounts a 150 kW motor that can produce a maximum of 204 horsepower with 36.7 kg/m torque. The single-speed transmission allowed the Bolt EV to be driven through traffic with ease. The official said the vehicle goes from 0-100 kmph in less than seven seconds. The popular BMW 320d sports sedan takes more than seven seconds to reach 100 kmph.

During the test drive, the powertrain delivered punchy, instant torque from a standing start and did not easily drop away, even at high speed. A certain degree of rolling and pitching were present at high speed but acceptable.

The vehicle lost traction on sharp corners and U-turns, mounted on a set of Michelin Energy tires, but the test drive was on a rainy day.

The Bolt EV features the so-called “Regen on Demand” system (regeneration). With just a simple pull of the Regen on Demand paddle on the steering wheel, the vehicle was able to slow without using the brakes.

The official said this helps convert energy into more electricity, which is transferred to the battery.

The Bolt EV’s interior was sizeable enough in the front and rear, but the inside material was mostly plastic to save production costs.

A navigation system was also absent for unknown reasons. Those who visit an unfamiliar place will have to use a smartphone navigation app.

It is also regrettable that the Bolt EV is now sold out, so customers will have to wait until next year to buy one. GM Korea started receiving preorders for the vehicle on March 17 and all 400 cars were sold in two hours.

The Bolt EV is priced at 47.79 million won, but consumers will pay less than 30 million won thanks to government subsidies for EVs, for which the Bolt qualifies.