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Chevy Tips Bolt EV Concept With 200-Mile Range

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

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Last week's CES had a number of car-related announcements, but Chevrolet waited until this week's North American International Auto Show to show off its latest electric vehicle innovations.

The General Motors-owned car maker today introduced the Bolt EV concept—a long-range, all-electric vehicle designed with a 200-plus-mile range and a starting price tag of $30,000.

Motorists in the U.S. and global markets will be able to personalize their Bolt concept by choosing their preferred driving style, be it daily commuting or weekend cruising. Each mode adjusts accelerator pedal mapping, vehicle ride height, and suspension tuning to fit your style.

"The Bolt EV concept is a game-changing electric vehicle designed for attainability, not exclusivity," General Motors CEO Mary Barra said in a statement. "Chevrolet believes electrification is a pillar of future transportation and needs to be affordable for a wider segment of customers."

And unlike its Volt or Spark predecessors, the Chevy's newest model boasts unique proportions that practically eliminate front and rear overhang, and allow for more interior space and plenty of headroom and legroom for up to four passengers.

"Form and function have never meshed so well together," said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "No compromises were made when it came to aesthetics."

The interior, he said, was intended as a "sanctuary," with an airy ambience that actually contributes to the vehicle's overall efficiency. It also incorporates technology in a subtler, simpler way, "for a more soothing driving experience—particularly in busy, urban environments."

Tech-savvy drivers can sync a smartphone via the Bolt EV Connect app: Turn your handset into a key fob and allow ride-sharing management like reservations, vehicle location, digital key, and payment processing.

Chevy is also working on automatic park-and-retrieval technology, which means you can pop into the supermarket while the car parks itself and returns to your location when you're done.

"We have made tremendous strides in technologies that make it easier and more affordable for Chevrolet customers to integrate an all-electric vehicle in their daily lives," Barra said. "The Bolt EV concept demonstrates General Motors' commitment to electrification and the capabilities of our advanced EV technology."

Interested drivers will have to wait to try out that new tech; the Chevy Bolt is expected sometime in 2017.

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Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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