[Lewis9]

The Bolt has been gone over with a fine tooth comb by the press and potential and actual customers. It is a true engineering breakthrough.

There is a pretty strong consensus about the Bolt regarding what succeeds and what needs improvement. We will now get to find out exactly how committed GM really is to electrification by how expeditiously it improves the easily correctable flaws in the Bolt based on this feedback and whether it supports owners with a high speed charging network.

If we quickly see new and better seats, a debugged os, etc. we will know that GM is truly committed to electrification. If that does not happen we are sadly looking at another GM ev1 level effort whatever the hoopla.

My local NJ Chevy dealer Bridgewater Chevy (who has been 100 per cent behind the Volt and Bolt) has way too many on the lot waiting for buyers. I would be a buyer today if it had seats that didn't cause me discomfort on my three test drives (I am average weight for my 5'10" height btw).

So for now this gen 1 and 2 Volt owner is passing on the Bolt because I refuse to endure back and leg pain to have a Bolt. I could live with the cheesy pseudo five year old Japanese styling, cheap econobox interior quality and hefty price but I will not put up with physical pain to drive a Bolt.

Finally I would like to conclude by saying to all the self appointed GM defenders that you are not actually helping GM succeed by your uncritical support. If GM can succeed against the Tesla 3, i3 and Leaf it needs to sell a Bolt that is the best car they can possibly make, install high speed charging stations at EVERY GM dealership (thereby making the Bolt uniquely practical due to the many GM dealerships- for long trips) and correct the flaws in the Bolt immediately.

As much as I would love to drive a Bolt absent the above for Bolts it is EV1 redux and I am not blowing 40k on an half-hearted committment by GM.

 

[bro1999]

Ummm.....ok. GL?

 

[volt11]

They have definitely left the door wide open for Nissan with its new Leaf, even with lower range. I agree that GM could have done better. We'll see what their next Bolt-platform-based car is like. Hopefully it will be desirable for reasons beyond its fine powertrain and good chassis.

 

[Jim I]

There is no one single car that is perfect for everyone.

If that were the case, there would only be one car that needs to be produced!

Your post has two very definite tones. On one hand you say you want to drive electic. On the other hand you seem to deride GM for producing the first 230+ mile range EV for under $37K. And with the tax rebate, it can be purchased at under $29K.

So I don't really see the pricing as an issue.

For a year one - gen one model, there are very few complaints, and none of those have to do with the electric drive system.

If you don't like the styling and interior, then this is not the car for you. Personally, my wife and I like both of those.

I suggest you compare the engineering, specs, and pricing with the i3 and Leaf you mentioned. There is no comparison that the Bolt is a superior vehicle. Until Tesla actually puts tens of thousands of vehicles on the road, it can't be compared with a vehicle that is already on the road.

GM has already stated that they will not be in the EV charging business. If that is a problem for you, then this is not the vehicle you should purchase. It is not a problem for me.

What OS problems do you see? The only complaint I have is that I think Android Auto should be able to connect without a cable. It is more of a nuisance than a problem.

That just leaves the seat issue. If they are not comfortable to you, then again, this is not the vehicle you should consider. We don't see the problem. I have no comfort issues at all. I do wish the driver's side had an electric seat to make changing between myself and my wife more convenient.

As far as how many Bolt's are on your dealer's lot, I would ask how much advertising they are doing to sell it compared to the ads for the Silverado, Equinox, and Cruze. I may be wrong about your particular dealer, but if it is anything like most of the dealers out there, there is almost no advertising for this amazing vehicle.

JMHO.

Jim - 2012 Volt & 2017 Bolt

 

[rhodomel]

I held off buying the Bolt because it lacked one very important thing for me, the Adaptive Cruise Control. Nissan Leaf has beaten them to it with a ProPilot feature, but it is a Nissan, and I don't want to patronize imported cars unless they're way cheaper on a comparative performance and features. Nissan Leaf EV range is a joke for me, even if they sell it as cheap as the first Leaf.

It should be easy for GM to incorporate the ProPilot feature in their next model year cars. If GM can't do it, sorry, I'll have to stick with my Volt for a while or until GM incorporated the ProPilot feature or the Model 3 arrives or the Nissan Leaf has exceeded the 250 mile EPA range.

Another option for me would be the CrossVolt. If the CrossVolt would have at least 75 mile EV range, and then a range extender, I wouldn't need any of the pure electric cars.

 

[Steverino]

My wife and I have been driving the Bolt since August. No seat-induced pain at all, for either of us. Nada, zip, zero,

I'm still not clear what the unspecified OS issues are that you keep referring to in multiple threads. We haven't experienced any.

The battery range is awesome for the Chicago metro area. I don't need the car to drive 2000 miles. I recharge nightly in my garage, just like my Volt.

I like the interior, very practical. If I want to feel something nice, forget stroking the dash, my wife is often sitting next to me, lol

I got my fully loaded Premier for $33,500, about what I paid for my Volt in 2011.

My list of improvements would be telescoping visors to block side window sun, a more raised cruise control button cluster for better tactile feel without having to look, "D" rings in the cargo bay, a front passenger all weather floor mat that went up the firewall, not just cover a patch on the floor. That's my list. The Bolt is such a horrible car, we both prefer driving it over our Volt (which we love), lol.

 

[Barry]

I agree that uncomfortable seats are a deal killer. There are many good cars that I would not buy based on ergonomic issues in the driver's seat. For instance, I have liked a number of different Toyotas over the years, but rarely found one that I could find a good driving position in. Just something about my body type and they way Toyota configures their ergonomic elements (it does not help that I am 6'2").

I haven't sat in the Bolt yet, but I will be paying close attention to the seats. No seat will be perfect for everyone. Hopefully they fit enough people so that they don't hurt overall sales.

And for what it is worth, I think GM is in vehicle electrification for good at this point. It is clearly the direction that the industry is headed, and GM is further along that most. Economics and public policy favor the current trend, so it will continue to develop. If economics and public policy changes, then auto makers will re-evaluate their EV programs and make adjustments that are in their shareholders' best interest, as always.

 

[stuart22]

The Bolt a halfhearted committment by GM??

 

[Slotracer577]

The seats could be better, but I find them acceptable. No discomfort, but not quite as good as the volt or my tdi I had previously. Just a little thin on the padding. I have driven up to 2 hrs at a time.
I much prefer driving the Bolt to the Volt. I like sitting up higher, better visibility, quicker, one foot driving, easier to park. It's a great around town car, but it's not a complete replacement for my tdi.
The only down side is that the battery needs to be bigger for long distance travel and have faster charging. It's not a car to travel in as I have never achieved better than 42kwh charge rate from dcfc's. That only adds 160 miles per hour of charging, so charge for an hour, drive for 2. That adds 25-30% travel time to any long trip. For the west coasters, yes we drive 75-80 for hours and a few places even have 80mph speed limits.

 

[viking79]

After sitting in a Bolt EV LT I was impressed how the interior and seats were better than I expected based on reviews. Granted, not what I would expect in a 40k car, but not bad either.

Keep in mind, the Bolt EV is designed as an urban car that probably won't be driven more than an hour at a time most trips.

 

[JoeReal]

Needed the Adaptive Cruise Control as an option for all of my future cars!

 

[Steverino]

Needed the Adaptive Cruise Control as an option for all of my future cars!

Maybe the 2019 Bolt, but as far as I know, ACC is not in the 2018 option list.

Back to the seats, I'm 6'2", my wife 5'10". Neither of us are obese. Some of my relatives who test drove the Bolt are obese, they loved driving the car and did not have seat complaints. They do want a larger interior because of their body size.

Also, I'd say the Bolt will be a $40k car when the $7500 take credit, any state rebates and the dealer discounts disappear. Until then I'd say it's substantially less than $40.

 

[ClarksonCote]

I expect they'll tweak the seats, but why not just get an after market seat cushion?

Also, they won't implement a fast charging infrastructure. There'll simply be no need to thanks to VW having to do it from Dieselgate. GM is not in the charging business any more than Ford is in the gas station business.

 

[sosmerc]

I agree that the Bolt is a great urban car and it is fun to drive. I like the idea of GM dealers having fast charging stations as part of the program for "travelers" to use....but I guess that is not going to happen. Too bad because without access to fast charging the Bolt can't meet my travel needs at this time. Tesla sure has the edge with regards to long distance traveling. I think everyone gets that and there is a hugh opening for someone to step in and fill the gap.

 

[Lewis9]

Imagine GM announcing that all their dealers will have free fast charging stations for any GM electric vehicle. It would immediately be a game changer for the electric vehicle marketplace. That would tell me they are serious with the Bolt and it's decendants.

The sad thing is it would probably cost the dealers less in installation and ongoing costs than the lavish free snack bar they just installed at my local Chevy dealer.

Electric cars will never be right for folks without garages with electric service but imagine if all the road tripping customers simply had to look for a GM dealer to fast charge for free once they buy their Bolts.

That and decent seats would make the Bolt a realistic proposition for long distance travel.

I know GM has announced they will not do this. That decision will be one they will regret imo........very ev1.

As a current or prospective electric car owner how can anyone here not support this?

Unless perhaps you plan to buy Pacific ocean waterfront property in Utah?

 

[Sean Nelson]

Finally I would like to conclude by saying to all the self appointed GM defenders that you are not actually helping GM succeed by your uncritical support.

I suspect there hasn't been a single person who's found the seats to be a problem that hasn't voiced their negative opinion. And the rest of the Bolt owners - why would they be critical of something that isn't an issue for them?

The seat issue is widely acknowledged and discussed, and because of it most people who have done any research at all are aware of it when they go to the dealership. It seems to me that the criticism is working exactly as it should.

 

[Neromanceres]

Imagine GM announcing that all their dealers will have free fast charging stations for any GM electric vehicle. It would immediately be a game changer for the electric vehicle marketplace. That would tell me they are serious with the Bolt and it's decendants.

You are aware that all Bolt EV certified dealers are required to have at minimum a 25KW CCS unit?

Now some dealers are only installing them in service departments and are restricted to service use. But there are quite a few putting them in accessible locations for the public to use freely. A few local examples below from plugshare:

 

[Lewis9]

Praise to these dealers who open up public charging stations.

But it is not the same as a corporate commitment which all ev manufacturers should show. I really don't even know what the big deal is. As a percentage of the investment to be a GM dealer it is inconsequential. For GM to go out of their way to announce that no they won't go there......it sort of boggles the mind and makes you question motives.

It would be so easy to stop the alleged abuse you read about at Tesla stations by local drivers- just issue charge cards for the machines that only work when you are over say 150 miles from home.

I am skeptical about the Tesla stories. Why would anyone who can afford a Tesla sit at their local charging station for an hour or two to save a few dollars when they could simply plug in in their own garage? If it actually was a problem I am certain Musk would have dealt with it.

 

[DonC]

The seats are weird. Many people find them comfortable. Some, like me, find them not to be. And some find them downright uncomfortable. It's weird. Doesn't seem particularly related to anything obvious like butt size or weight.

The one thing the seats do is give a lot more leg room in the back. That's a big deal.

Imagine GM announcing that all their dealers will have free fast charging stations for any GM electric vehicle. It would immediately be a game changer for the electric vehicle marketplace. That would tell me they are serious with the Bolt and it's decendants.

Meh. I wouldn't want to use a charger at a dealer. Based on the experience with Nissan dealers, too many hassles and too much uncertainly.

 

[viking79]

I agree that the Bolt is a great urban car and it is fun to drive. I like the idea of GM dealers having fast charging stations as part of the program for "travelers" to use....but I guess that is not going to happen. Too bad because without access to fast charging the Bolt can't meet my travel needs at this time. Tesla sure has the edge with regards to long distance traveling. I think everyone gets that and there is a hugh opening for someone to step in and fill the gap.

I agree completely, people argue that GM and Ford are not in the gas station business, so why be in the EV Charger business? This is a bad mentality. Tesla is in the EV charging business and they stand to hold half the US market share of EVs if they can ramp production quick enough. If I am looking at a $35k or $40k EV, and I see one that is faster accelerating, offers autopilot and faster charging than another car that has limited range due to lack of charging infrastructure, I can tell you which one I would buy. The only thing hurting Tesla right now is they need to ramp production quickly.