Boomer23
Well-known member
tbleakne said:I would be interested in observations about the Bolt concept car from folks who also attended the Exposition Park NDEW event on Sunday.
I have read speculation that the Bolt has a 50 kWh battery, probably packaged as a slab under the floor. It may have a tweak to the battery chemistry relative to the Volt, trading power density for increased energy density. As a concept car, not pre-production, you probably were not allowed very close to the car. I also read that they may only make about 30K or so cars because that is the limit of what LG can supply in batteries.
Comments from Boomer23, 91040, others ?
I haven't heard the speculations that you mention about the batteries for the Bolt, but we could do some math to arrive at the probable kWh capacity. The car is about the size and frontal area of the BMW i3, but likely heavier since it will probably lack the carbon fiber structures used in the i3. Figure about 3200 pounds?
If the i3 BEV gets about 85 miles per charge on 19 useable kWh, I see 50 kWh (gross) as being in the right range for 200 real world miles. It remains to be seen whether the 200 miles will be real world or pie-in-the-sky.
I find the Bolt a very good looking small EV, and many seem to agree. It looks like trunk space behind the rear seats is smaller than most small EVs, and I think that GM will live to regret the Bolt name due to confusion with the Volt.