Chevrolet Bolt Named American Car of the Year

The Chevrolet Bolt was chosen as the American Car of the Year for 2016. The main reason for selecting this vehicle is its electric nature, reasonable price, and suitable features. This car is one of the cheapest electric vehicles available for customers in the American market. With a price of $30,000, it is cheaper than Tesla vehicles, which have been making headlines lately, and it can travel 380 kilometers on a single charge, which is a suitable range for an electric car and can meet urban needs in large American cities. When compared to the BMW i3, which can only travel 183 kilometers on a single charge and has a much higher price than the Bolt, the value of this vehicle becomes apparent. The Tesla Model S, priced significantly higher than the Chevrolet Bolt, has a range of 350 kilometers. The Chevrolet Bolt, utilizing large 60 kWh batteries and battery charging technology during braking, has achieved a range even greater than some Tesla models. In recent years, Chevrolet has made significant achievements in the field of electric vehicles; previously, the company had the Spark model, which could only travel 131 kilometers. The Chevrolet Bolt features a high-capacity electric motor capable of producing 200 horsepower and 360 Newton-meters of torque. This electric motor receives its power from a 60 kWh battery made by LG Chem, located in the floor of the vehicle. With these specifications, the Chevrolet Bolt can reach a speed of 96 kilometers per hour in less than 7 seconds. This front-wheel-drive hatchback, with its 360 Newton-meter torque, is faster than many gasoline vehicles. The size of this car, somewhat similar to a Volkswagen Golf, is suitable for urban environments and parking in small spaces; however, Americans typically do not favor such small cars. The chassis and powertrain of the Bolt are designed by General Motors, combined with LG engineering. Placing the batteries in the floor of the car creates ample space for five passengers. This vehicle has a fast charging system that can cover 144 kilometers with a half-hour charge. However, this system is still behind Tesla's, as Tesla can cover 330 kilometers with a 40-minute charge. Nevertheless, the price of the Chevrolet Bolt is even lower than the cheapest model from Tesla. The cheapest Tesla model, the Model 3, is introduced at a base price of $35,000, set to enter the market in 2017. This electric vehicle can travel 346 kilometers on a single charge. The owner of a Tesla Model 3 can easily plug it into the electricity at home overnight and go to work in the morning with a full battery. This car, with its 250 horsepower electric motor, can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in six seconds. Before the Model 3, the price of a fully electric vehicle that could match the performance of a regular gasoline sedan was very high. The minimum price for Tesla products was around $75,000, a figure that discouraged middle-class citizens from purchasing such vehicles. However, electric vehicle prices remain high, and for these vehicles to challenge gasoline cars, their prices need to drop by another $15,000, and their range should reach 600 kilometers on a single charge. Additionally, engineers need to find ways to charge these vehicles faster. With the arrival of the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt in 2017, the competition among electric vehicles in the U.S. will enter a new phase.