Did you see me bolting into my birthday in the all-electric 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier?
What a fantastic way to bring in my 37th birthday by driving Chevy's first electric car; plus, it was my first time driving an electric vehicle altogether.
At first, I'll be honest; I had no desire to drive an electric car since I was content on my love for gas cars and hybrids. But, my experience with the Chevy Bolt made me beg the differ.
Before my behind the wheel experience with the Chevy Bolt EV, I had a fear of running out of charge during long road trips, and speed would be as if I was driving a golf cart. Well, I was wrong, and now eating my words. There are more than 40,000 EV charging stations nationwide, so no worries when you need to charge while on the road. The Bolt drives like a regular vehicle; you wouldn't even realize it is electric. Plus, no shifting into gears, the Bolt gets up and goes quickly!
To put this sweet baby in action, my girls and I took a quick day trip north to Dahlonega, GA. Going through the mountains along the wine highway route, I took in all the beautiful sceneries of the trees, lakes, and of course, the mountains. And the weather was perfect, so I rolled down the windows to let in the cool, crisp breeze.
After the tour, the girls panned for gold and gems and came out with gorgeous gem rocks. Consolidated Gold Mine has them cut and turned into a necklace and ring with some of their gems, turning them into precious keepsakes.
While in Dahlonega, we explored the Historic Dahlonega Square to dine and shop, and finished off our day to shop some more in Dawsonville at the North Georgia Premium Outlets. At the same time, the Chevy Bolt charges at the EVgo Station during our shopping excursion.
There are so many benefits of having a 2020 Chevy Bolt EV, instead of having a gas vehicle. Let me share what's great about it.
1. Goodbye, Gas! No longer will you spend time draining your wallet at the gas pumps. Chevy Bolt EV has the convenience of charging at home with a remarkable EPA-estimated 259-miles range on a single charge. And, while taking long road trips, there are EVgo/Blink stations along the way to stop and charge. With the EVgo, Blink, and myChevrolet app, you can find the nearest charging stations.
Also, with the EVgo and Blink app, you can pay for your charging, so all you need to do is hook the charging port to the car, and the app does the rest. It's as easy as charging a cell phone!
There are three options when it comes to charging Bolt EV...
- Level 1 (SAE J1772 120-volt)- This is for charging with the standard 120-volt portable charging cord that comes standard with the Bolt EV. This option allows you to charge wherever you can plug in, delivering 4 miles per hour of charge.
- Level 2 (SAE J1772 240 volt/32-amp)- Delivering up to 25 miles per hour of charge, this is the fast and most convenient way to charge at home or wherever you can plugin.
- Level 3 DC Fast Charging (CCS/SAE)- The fastest charging method available, the DC Fast Charging port, can restore up to 90 miles of range in about 30 minutes.
Best of all! No more oil changes, smog checks, and those dreadful, expensive auto repairs!
2. One Pedal Driving- One pedal driving is a neat way to drive. However, it's a bit of a learning curve since I'm so used to driving with two pedals, gas and brake. When in "Low" mode at any speed, you can slow down and come to a complete stop by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator. This feature helps you transfer energy back to the vehicle battery instead of losing it when you break. You need to know when to take your foot off the accelerator at the right time when you want to come to a complete stop because the stop is not immediate. I had to play around with this feature at a park to get the hang of it. It's like unlearning how to drive gas cars.
3. Regen-on-Demand- Another neat feature that goes well with One Pedal Driving. With just a pull on the paddle on the steering wheel, you're able to slow down without using the actual brake pedal. This is another way to help convert energy into more electricity and then transfers back to the battery.
4. Spacious- Don't let the size of the car fool you from the outside; it's packing quite a bit of space inside. Remember, this car doesn't have an engine, and engines make cars look bigger than they actually are. Inside seats five people comfortably with plenty of legroom, especially the front row seating. And with a maximum cargo space measuring 56.6 cubic feet, the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV can store anything you need on your travels.
5. Design- The exterior styling is captivating that is beautifully sculpted and eye-catching. The trendy appearance makes you want to hop in and go! I like to admire it's cuteness while it sits in my driveway. And with big windows all around, it helps bring in natural lighting and a better view.
6. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto- New phone integration features available on select MyLink infotainment systems are Carplay and Android Auto. Both applications enable phone users to display certain apps and functionality from their phone on the vehicle's infotainment display, allowing them to control those apps and functions via the vehicle's touchscreen or voice commands.
7. 4G LTE Wi-Fi- 2020 Chevy Bolt EV keeps up to seven devices connected with their built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and access to existing OnStar safety and security services.
8. Safety- Keeping drivers safe is Chevrolet's top priority. With features like lane change, side blind zone, and rear cross-traffic alert, not to mention rear park assist, pedestrian safety signal, HD surround vision, and rear camera mirror, the Bolt EV helps drivers be protected.
There is a Downside...
My only downside with this car is when taking the Bolt EV for long drives, you need to plan ahead because charging the battery can take some time.
For instance, let's say I'm going on a trip to Orlando, Florida, and I need to be there at a specific time; with the myChevrolet app, you can plan your travels with charge times. Charging can take an hour or two if not using EVgo's fast charging, so it'll leave you sitting around waiting, or hopefully, your stop has things to do like shopping or dining to past the time.
Honestly, I wouldn't use this car for long-distance trips because I don't like stopping for too long.
But other than that, the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV was such a joy to drive, giving me a new positive look when it comes to electric cars.
Chevy Bolt EV is less expensive, giving drivers more convenience, and they are better for the environment.
Starting price is $37,495, and for Premier edition $41,895. (Fuel Economy 118 MPGe, 127 Highway and 108 Highway (29 kW-hrs per 100 miles))
Make sure to check out other Chevrolet cars I had the pleasure of driving.
Disclosure- This post is sponsored by Chevrolet. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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