The 2017 Chevy Bolt EV is the Electric Car for Everyone

For years, drivers of all stripes have heard the values of driving electric vehicles shouted from just about every rooftop, with high gas prices and concerns over harmful pollutants pushing more and more drivers to consider switching to a gas-free model. But with so many hybrid models and electric-only vehicles stuck stubbornly behind high price tags and imposing preconceived notions, it can be hard for some drivers to accept the electric vehicle as a serious, viable alternative to the standard sedan – until, that is, the impressive 2017 Chevy Bolt hit the scene.

That’s because the 2017 Chevy Bolt finally offers an electric-only option for the everyman – a confidently capable gas-free vehicle that’s priced right, supremely styled, and built to make your daily commute as comfortable and efficient as possible. Fear the electric vehicle no more – the Chevy Bolt is here, and it promises to change the way we all look at just what a hybrid vehicle can be.

Here’s a look at just a few of the amazing features found on the 2017 Chevy Bolt that truly make this car an electric vehicle that’s fit for any driveway.

Unflinching Efficiency Meets Satisfying, Scrappy Power

Obviously, there’s one thing that sets the 2017 Chevy Bolt far above the rest of the pack, and that’s its amazingly efficient, electric-only engine. Built to conserve the power it builds during its fast charging period for miles and miles at a time, the Bolt truly is one of the first electric options that today’s drivers can count on as both a weekend getaway vehicle and a daily driver, all without having to worry about powering down halfway to home.

The 2017 Bolt can travel a jaw-dropping 238 miles on a single electric charge – more than five times the average 40 minute commute estimated by Chevy, and enough juice to travel from your Chevy dealer in Columbus, OH to Detroit in one trip without having to stop for a charge. That’s hours of driving without having to use a drop of gasoline, and without producing a single harmful contaminant as a result.

Two Impressive Energy-Saving Technologies

Chevy manages this impressive efficiency thanks to two innovative improvements to the electric drive system: Regen on Demand, and One-Pedal Driving. Regen on Demand operates much on the same principle as regenerative braking, only in the Bolt this translates to a paddle on the side of the steering wheel which can be pulled in lieu of stepping on the brake. This activates the regenerative braking system, seamlessly slowing your vehicle and capturing that kinetic energy for use later on during your ride.

The other impressive feature used by the Bolt to capture and re-generate energy on the road is One-Pedal Driving, which allows the driver to slow their Bolt down – or even come to a complete stop – by simply lifting their foot off the accelerator when driving at any speed in Low mode. Not only does this save on wear and tear to your brakes in the long term, but it also increases your range by recapturing much of that otherwise-lost energy. Plus, your brakes will always be there and ready to respond at a moment’s notice whether One Pedal Driving is active or not, meaning it’s not hard to stay safe even when taking full advantage of the Bolt’s impressive power-saving tech.

A Satisfying Ride Comes Chevy-Standard

The Bolt may be one impressive electric vehicle, and a trailblazer in the alternative power market, but it’s still a Chevy through and through – and that means you can count on this electric option being one surprisingly pleasurable ride, no matter where your adventure may take you.

That’s thanks, in part, to the very principles that go into building an electric vehicle. In contrast to fuel engines, which can have hundreds of moving parts in need of regular oil changes and maintenance, the 2017 Bolt’s electric battery has no moving parts and needs relatively little service. Not only does this mean near-instant acceleration and a smooth, measured takeoff every time, but also near-silent operation at low speeds. Put these together and you’ve got one electric Chevy that’s so fun to drive you may just forget it’s good for the planet, and for your wallet.

Plus, the 2017 Bolt packs in impressive handling improvements like Electronic Precision Shift, which allows for smooth and responsive shifting between gears even at high speeds and on tough terrain. The absence of a big, clunky shifter helps to clear out even more comfort space for the passengers up front, and this system further helps reduce operating noise for quiet and undeniably enjoyable handling on just about any road that may be ahead.

Keeping Fully Charged is as Simple As Plugging in

Although your 2017 Chevy Bolt won’t use a drop of gasoline for the entire time it’s on the road, it still needs to get its power from somewhere – and with the handy home charging station, Chevy makes it easier than ever to wake up charged and ready to roll in the morning, and to roll in at night ready to charge overnight for the next day to come.

Simply bring your Chevy Bolt home and plug it right into a standard 12-volt outlet and your Bolt will be ready to roll the next morning. Some drivers choose to charge overnight, when prices may be lower in your area, to get the most savings possible during the daily charging period.

In a rush? Try the available 240-volt charging station, which boosts charging to about 25 miles per hour of charging time. Or, for those looking to really get out there without having to wait, the available DC Fast-Charging station (available for install right in your garage or your home) offers a whopping 90 miles of driving for every 30 minutes of charge time. That’s serious power at your fingertips, without having to sit around to get it.

Plus, you can program your charge settings based on your location, so your Bolt will automatically know to charge at certain time when you’re at home or to charge immediately if you’re out and about. It’s never been easier to stay charged and ready to roll, and the 2017 Bolt proudly bears the banner of a trailblazer in the electric vehicle market, Try one for yourself and see what all the fuss is about – chances are, you may never want to go back to paying for gas again.