Chevrolet Bolt doubles up, adds EUV electric SUV

Chevrolet has rolled out a new version of its Bolt battery electric vehicle that it dubs an EUV rather than an SUV.

The Bolt EUV – electric utility vehicle – is slightly larger and has slightly less range than the hatchback it shares its BEV2 platform and powertrain with.

The EUV arrives in the US market at the same time as an overhaul of the Bolt hatchback is introduced.

They could be the last battery electric vehicles General Motors launches in North America before the rollout of its new Ultium technology begins with the Cadillac Lyriq and Hummer EV.

All up, GM plans to launch 30 new EVs globally by 2025 on its way to an all-electric lineup of passenger cars by 2035.

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GM’s first EV since the experimental (and controversial) EV1 of the late 1990s, the Bolt has been around since 2016 and sold more than 100,000 examples.

But it was always dismissed as being too expensive to come to Australia as a Holden.

Of course, the Aussie brand has now disappeared to be replaced by GMSV. In the future it seems likely it will introduce EVs here, but the luxury Cadillac brand seems favoured. GMSV is also selling the Corvette in Australia, which will eventually spawn hybrid and electric Corvettes.

Logical competition for the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric and forthcoming Kia Niro EV, the Bolt EUV ekes out a claimed 402km courtesy of a 65kWh LG lithium-ion battery pack and 150kW/390Nm permanent magnet electric motor driving the front wheels.

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The Bolt hatchback manages 416km from the same drivetrain.

Both vehicles support 100kW fast charging. They also come with a new “dual level charging cord” that allows both 120-volt three-prong charging and 240-volt charging up to 7.2kW. Additional charging equipment is required to raise Level 2 charging to 11kW.

The Bolt EV rolls on a 75mm longer (2675mm) wheelbase than the hatchback, is 161mm longer (4306mm), 5mm wider (1770mm) and 5mm taller (1616mm). It is 39kg heavier at 1669kg. It has more rear legroom but less cargo space in the boot. Go figure.

One of the key boasts of the Bolt EUV is it is the first Chevrolet and EV to come with GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system. It costs US$2200 ($2800) but doesn’t get lane change assist, as Cadillacs do.

While the two Bolt models share no external sheetmetal they have styling links to the original Bolt. The interior has been refashioned to be more orthodox.

Pricing starts at US$31,995 ($41,200) for the Bolt and US$33,995 ($43,800) for the Bolt EUV. Starting price for the Bolt hatchback drops US$5000 ($6400).