2017 Chevy Bolt EV

Named the 2017 MotorTrend Car of the Year and the 2017 Green Car of the Year, the Chevy Bolt EV gets an EPA-estimated 238 miles per charge. Capable of 0-60 mph in less than 6.5 seconds and powered by 266 lb/ft of torque, the Bolt is one of the most powerful compact electric vehicles from 2017.

Equipped with an electronic precision shift, Michelin self-sealing tires, a 10.2-inch diagonal touch-screen and a rear vision camera, the baseline model is an action-packed EV that comes with a full suite of high-tech safety features. Available in Silver Ice Metallic, Arctic Blue Metallic, Kinetic Blue Metallic, Orange Burst Metallic, Cajun Red Tintcoat, Nightfall Gray Metallic, and Mosaic Black Metallic, drivers can match their personalities accordingly.

Armed with the latest state-of-the-art EV technology, drivers can Regen-on-Demand by simply pulling the paddle on their steering wheel – slowing the vehicle down without using the brake. This process “converts energy into more electricity and then transfers it back to the battery.”

Bolt’s one-pedal driving and deceleration feature lets drivers harness energy while operating in Low mode. By simply lifting your foot off the gas while slowing – or even coming to a complete stop – energy is transferred back to the battery.

Chevy made the charging process as seamless as possible. From the professionally installed 240-Volt/32-Amp charging unit (provides about 25 miles per hour of charge time) to the DC Fast Charging stations (90 miles in around 30 minutes of charge time), Chevy makes charging as “easy as plugging in your cell phone.”

With location-based charging and the highly intuitive Chevy Bolt companion app, you can customize the charging experience to fit your schedule and around optimal utility rate times – reducing your carbon footprint even while charging at home.

Backed by a 100,000 mile or 8-year warranty, the Bolt’s 60 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged by the AeroVironment’s Level 2, 32 amp EVSE-RS home unit.

The list of safety features is impressive. The Chevy Bolt EV comes with a lane departure warning, rear camera mirror, surround vision, rear cross traffic alerts, side blind zone alert, and a forward collision alert. Equipped with 10 airbags and built upon an advanced high-strength steel frame, the Bolt is still one of the safest all-electric vehicles on the road.

The surround vision, for example, gives drivers a “virtual bird’s eye view of the vehicle” via four strategically-placed cameras. According to Chevy, “all camera viewpoints seamlessly merge to transmit a clear side-by-side digital image to the large 10.2-inch diagonal screen.”

Whether you want to view energy usage metrics or check your car’s diagnostics, the diagonal driver information center is you and your car’s digital personal assistant. Compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the tablet-like display can connect up to seven devices using its 4G LTE Wi-Fi network.

From battery levels to range estimation, the oversized color touch-screen gives drivers their energy usage score – a consumption grade based on driving technique, terrain, climate settings, and outside temps.

With an owner benefit program that includes a 5-year or 60,000 miles of 24-hour roadside assistance and three months of the OnStar Guidance Plan, Chevy takes care of their drivers. By downloading the myChevrolet Mobile App, drivers can remote start their vehicle, lock/unlock doors, warm up their car while it’s charging, monitor charge status, and find charging stations.

As the owner of an all-electric vehicle, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit of up to $7,500 – not to mention the potential for a tax credit at the state level. The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV is an engineering marvel from its sleek aerodynamic design features to its versatile 56.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With enough room for five people to sit comfortably, the fold-flat seats maximize interior space when needed.

Despite being a couple years old, The Chevrolet Bolt EV is still one of the best all electric cars you can get, especially if you want to travel further distances while still having all the safety features.