I recently purchased my first electric vehicle to get a personal understanding of what day-to-day EV ownership is all about. Some of my friends wondered why I didn’t pick a Tesla; instead I opted for a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (electric utility vehicle) and have been satisfied entering the no-fuel world since leaving the dealership.

Pricing

I started my search with affordability in mind. A $6,300 cash discount promotion from General Motors for its new Bolt EV and EUV caught my attention.

The Bolt EUV has a little more cargo capacity and comfort for passengers in the back seat compared to the Bolt EV. The Bolt EUV is similar in size to a Chevrolet Trax. The Bolt’s price tag is $31,995 and the Bolt EUV is $33,500. Both models are backed by a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty along with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the electric battery.

There are two trim levels to choose from, the LT and Premiere. I went with Premiere trim that gives the car adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, leather seats and HD Surround Vision, which is Chevrolet’s safety technology that uses multiple cameras to provide the driver a 360-degree view while in reverse. The Premier increases the price by about $4,500. Chevrolet also has a Launch Edition Package ($5,430), which came equipped with my vehicle. It includes three years of the hands-free driver assistance system known as Super Cruise, enhanced automatic emergency braking, Bose audio and a sunroof.

The final pricing came out to $43,995 for the new, fully loaded Bolt EUV Premiere. This is a few thousand dollars cheaper than the entry level Tesla Model 3 that starts at $46,990. The price point of the Bolt EUV versus other entry level EVs and EUVs was a big reason why I purchased this vehicle as my first that doesn’t require gas.

Battery, range

The Bolt EUV comes with a 65 kWh 350 V lithium-ion battery that has an estimated range of 247 miles. This size of battery along with the range is perfect for inner city driving and if you are not driving long distances generally. A 120 volt wall plug-in charger does come standard from Chevrolet to charge your EV wherever a wall plug is available, however the charging time is extremely slow with four miles added per hour while charging. Chevrolet offers to cover the installation cost of a level two charger (240 volts) at a new customer’s residence in collaboration with Qmerit, a provider of installation for EV charging. I gladly opted for the upgrade. Having a level two charger drastically reduces the charging time for a full charge in seven hours which is ideal compared to the 40-to-50 hours using the 120 volt charger. An electrician is needed to install the level two charger.

I haven’t needed to charge my EV outside of my residence since my daily commute is rather short. For those who do need to charge EVs outside of their homes, there are public charging stations that can be found with assistance from apps such as ChargePoint, EVgo and Electrify America. Some public charging stations are free; others charge.

Day-to-day livability

The Bolt EUV is an ideal car for everyday use around town. There is no longer a need for gas station pit stops. If you are looking to drive across the state or long distances, the Bolt might not be the best EV due to the range; there are some other more expensive EVs on the market that have more range, closer to 300 miles. However, if you are driving within a 50-mile radius generally and can charge the vehicle from home, then the Bolt is a great choice and value.

Final thoughts

When transitioning from an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle to an EV, what many people, including myself, noticed is the silence. There is basically no sound coming from the vehicle. This in turn makes the overall driving experience a little more relaxing for the driver and passengers. The only noise you will hear is from the tires, mainly when driving at higher speeds, such as on a highway. Another immediate difference driving an EV is that there is instant torque, or peppy acceleration, from idle and when driving around inner city speeds. The Bolt also has a single gear transmission, which means there is no action of the vehicle shifting gears, providing a smooth ride.

Just because I own an EV does not mean I am abandoning my gas powered cars. Absolutely not. I still love my gas powered sports cars and muscle cars. However, for driving around town, including my work commute, the Bolt EUV fits in perfectly as my first EV. I plan on owning future EVs.

Tribal member Calvin Tiger is in the Education Department’s Emerging Leaders Program. He specializes in writing about the automotive industry and anything vehicle related. Contact him at calvintiger@semtribe.com or (954) 966-6300, ext. 10739.