[bro1999]

I forgot that the Bolt is a city car. Whoops.

https://bro05.blogspot.com/2017/07/900-mile-trip-in-238-mile-bolt-shows.html

 

[JoeMap]

Great write-up Bro! After the efficiency run a few weeks ago, followed by the Auto-X runs, and then your trip, looks like you are are on a mission to prove the Bolt EV can do nearly anything.

I agree with your sentiments; the GCR report was a great example of how to do everything wrong. Thanks for providing the right example!

Joe

 

[wws]

Great writeup!

While maybe not exactly next to each other in a row, there are a number of places in California where Tesla Superchargers are co-located with CCS and/or CHAdeMO chargers. Gilroy and Santa Nella are two examples.

 

[bro1999]

Great write-up Bro! After the efficiency run a few weeks ago, followed by the Auto-X runs, and then your trip, looks like you are are on a mission to prove the Bolt EV can do nearly anything.

I agree with your sentiments; the GCR report was a great example of how to do everything wrong. Thanks for providing the the right example!

Joe

And can also haul home 200 pound grills from Lowe's.

 

[Steverino]

And can also haul home 200 pound grills from Lowe's.

What is the width and height of that box? I imagine it was easier to load than it would be in a Volt. This utility is a reason I am interested in a Bolt EV rather than a Tesla Model 3 (which I suspect could not accommodate this box).

 

[linkim]

Thanks for the interesting writeup bro1999. From what you wrote, it did not appear that you encountered any problems with charging due to mechanical, ICEing and/or charger already occupied. Around here, there are many EV drivers [LEAF and i3] that have the free "No Charge to Charge" cards. They have access to a free quick charge or L2. My experience when I wanted to use the public sites, they were frequently occupied. sounds like you avoided that hassle.

 

[BAZINGA]

Interesting read and journey. What this proves is beyond a shadow of doubt it that it's about the charging stations not the vehicle. Here in the mid-west the EV charging infrastructure is a joke.

Thanks for showing us what's possible.

 

[Volterado]

Very interesting story. It's proven to me that range is no longer an issue, it's the recharge rate (combined vehicle and station) now that needs to be improved for EVs to be widely accepted. Not many people will accept 4 1/2 hours of downtime.

Also, I don't think it's fair to compare a 30 mpg vehicle against your cost. Most eco drivers are going to have a Prius or similar hybrid, so maybe 50 or even 60 mpg should be the comparison bogey. Still, it shows that a BEV is not an expensive option.

 

[bro1999]

And can also haul home 200 pound grills from Lowe's.

What is the width and height of that box? I imagine it was easier to load than it would be in a Volt. This utility is a reason I am interested in a Bolt EV rather than a Tesla Model 3 (which I suspect could not accommodate this box).

The box would NOT have fit in a Volt. Too tall. Not without the hatch closed anyways.
Model 3 DEFINITELY could not have loaded up this box.

 

[Steverino]

The box would NOT have fit in a Volt. Too tall.

Do you have actual inch dimensions?

 

[bro1999]

The box would NOT have fit in a Volt. Too tall.

Do you have actual inch dimensions?

Just measured: 36x30x26

 

[timoshev]

Very interesting story. It's proven to me that range is no longer an issue, it's the recharge rate (combined vehicle and station) now that needs to be improved for EVs to be widely accepted. Not many people will accept 4 1/2 hours of downtime.

Also, I don't think it's fair to compare a 30 mpg vehicle against your cost. Most eco drivers are going to have a Prius or similar hybrid, so maybe 50 or even 60 mpg should be the comparison bogey. Still, it shows that a BEV is not an expensive option.

Recharge rate. BIG looming problem for those 300,000 Model 3 owners all trying to recharge on their summer road trips. Good luck.(All the Best to Elon, but batteries must get better before EV's go mainstream.)

 

[Fourdoor]

And can also haul home 200 pound grills from Lowe's.

And if you have the magic rear view mirror it doesn't even block your view

Keith

 

[Bluesideup]

The box would NOT have fit in a Volt. Too tall. Not without the hatch closed anyways.
Model 3 DEFINITELY could not have loaded up this box.

How do you know the Model 3 could DEFINITELY not load this box? Do you have one that no one knows about?

The Bolt does very good at stackable items as it has a narrow but tall trunk. That grill you bought was about the epitome of what the bolt can do. Unfortunately it doesn't do so well compared to the Volt or Model 3 when it comes to what most people carry around in the back as it usually isn't a grill.

Most people put groceries, shopping bags or miscellaneous small items that are not rectangular and bulky and can't be stacked. The fact that the Model 3 will have more floor space to put a lot more miscellaneous items makes the car more useful to the vast majority of people that don't plan on putting everything in rectangular or square boxes. Now if someone needs help moving then the Bolt would be better if you don't mind making hundreds of trips but there are much better cars out there for moving bulk items known as trucks.

 

[devbolt]

How do you know the Model 3 could DEFINITELY not load this box? Do you have one that no one knows about?

The Bolt does very good at stackable items as it has a narrow but tall trunk. That grill you bought was about the epitome of what the bolt can do. Unfortunately it doesn't do so well compared to the Volt or Model 3 when it comes to what most people carry around in the back as it usually isn't a grill.

Most people put groceries, shopping bags or miscellaneous small items that are not rectangular and bulky and can't be stacked. The fact that the Model 3 will have more floor space to put a lot more miscellaneous items makes the car more useful to the vast majority of people that don't plan on putting everything in rectangular or square boxes. Now if someone needs help moving then the Bolt would be better if you don't mind making hundreds of trips but there are much better cars out there for moving bulk items known as trucks.

Given the public photos we've seen of the Model 3, and knowing how typical sedan trunks are like, and how far doors open on typical sedans, it's not hard to come to the conclusion that that grill wouldn't have fit in the Model 3.

As to what can be packed in a Bolt, here's what we recently packed in the Bolt:

More stuff got packed in after that photo was taken, I just forgot to take more photos. And we already were using a cargo van for the other bulky stuff. The Bolt got pressed into service when we ran out of easily accessible space that would protect the chairs.

 

[Random]

Just measured: 36x30x26

Just went through this with a 5 cu ft freezer to tide me over till the new fridge is delivered (old one died, 3 cu ft probably would have been large enough, deliveries are slow after big 4th July appliance sales).

Gen II Volt can do up to about 36 (to the walls) x 25 (to the top hatch edge) x a lot with the seats folded down.

Just miss on it's back with that 26 dimension!

 

[jcanoe]

Just went through this with a 5 cu ft freezer to tide me over till the new fridge is delivered (old one died, 3 cu ft probably would have been large enough, deliveries are slow after big 4th July appliance sales).

Gen II Volt can do up to about 36 (to the walls) x 25 (to the top hatch edge) x a lot with the seats folded down.

Just miss on it's back with that 26 dimension!

You could always unbox the grill, then the major grill components would surely fit inside the Volt with the rear seats folded down. Box folded flat in case you need to return the item.

 

[Steverino]

How do you know the Model 3 could DEFINITELY not load this box?

Now that you point it out, I looked at a rear comparison and you are right. Same size opening. Also the Model three is like 3 time larger, and the drivers are GIANTS and would never fit in a Bolt. Just look at the side by side comparison. I never noticed how small the Bolt's wheels are before. Must be 8" or 12" wheels.

 

[Bluesideup]

Given the public photos we've seen of the Model 3, and knowing how typical sedan trunks are like, and how far doors open on typical sedans, it's not hard to come to the conclusion that that grill wouldn't have fit in the Model 3.

As to what can be packed in a Bolt, here's what we recently packed in the Bolt:
View attachment 137161

More stuff got packed in after that photo was taken, I just forgot to take more photos. And we already were using a cargo van for the other bulky stuff. The Bolt got pressed into service when we ran out of easily accessible space that would protect the chairs.

As I said bulky stuff will do slightly better in the Bolt but how often are you going to use such small cars to move bulky stuff compared to going to the grocery store or shopping where the Model 3 will be able to hold more bags in it as it has a lot more surface storage area.

 

[bro1999]

Given the public photos we've seen of the Model 3, and knowing how typical sedan trunks are like, and how far doors open on typical sedans, it's not hard to come to the conclusion that that grill wouldn't have fit in the Model 3.

As to what can be packed in a Bolt, here's what we recently packed in the Bolt:
[iurl="http://gm-volt.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=137161&d=1499455608"]

[/iurl]

More stuff got packed in after that photo was taken, I just forgot to take more photos. And we already were using a cargo van for the other bulky stuff. The Bolt got pressed into service when we ran out of easily accessible space that would protect the chairs.

As I said bulky stuff will do slightly better in the Bolt but how often are you going to use such small cars to move bulky stuff compared to going to the grocery store or shopping where the Model 3 will be able to hold more bags in it as it has a lot more surface storage area.

Model 3 = 14 cubic feet cargo space trunk AND frunk
Bolt = 16.9 cubic feet

But who is buying a Model 3 for cargo capacity? It's all about the T badge! WOOOOOOO!

If someone wants superior utility and practicality with 200+ miles under $40k, the Bolt is the obvious choice.