GM Unveils The All-Electric Chevrolet Bolt Concept

2015 Chevrolet Bolt Concept (Credit: Chevrolet )

GM is rocking the boat with a new all-electric concept car called the Chevrolet Bolt. It is aimed squarely at Tesla, which often boasts that it makes cars with better range than other electric vehicles on the market today. According to GM, the Bolt can be driven over 200 miles on a single charge, although just how far beyond that range it can go isn’t apparent right now.

Oh, and when the Bolt is brought to market in 2017, GM has made a point to emphasize that it will be available for purchase in all 50 states. That’s a backhanded dig on the Tesla Model S, which has been blocked from being sold in a growing number of states.
The design of the Chevy Bolt mimics the BMW i3, but the base price is estimated to be somewhere around $38,000. That kind of price point could help steal some of the thunder of the Tesla Model 3 when it is released, which is likely exactly what GM is hoping for. It also undercuts the i3, making it a potential solid hit that the automaker needs desperately, thanks to soft sales of the first-generation Volt.

The concept vehicle has a unique look, with virtually no overhang in the front or rear. As a result, the interior space is maximized, providing ample room for occupants when compared to the vehicle’s exterior dimensions. Whether or not such an extreme design would make it to production, thanks to the necessity of crumple zones, is unknown. The glass roof, tailgate, and rear widows that wrap around to the rear are likely to not appear in the production vehicle.

To help with range, GM turned to an array of weight-saving measures. It used materials like magnesium, aluminum, carbon fiber, and woven mesh liberally. The exterior has some aerodynamic features that also help maximize range, like the vents in the rear fenders.

The question now is what Tesla will do to combat this new development. Elon Musk often has a trick up his sleeve, but it appears GM might have the upper hand this time.