2020 Chevy Bolt: Change in the interest of the range

• The 2020 Chevy Bolt is undergoing several critical changes and tweaks for the new model year.
• These changes help the new Bolt reclaim its EPA-estimated 259 miles on a full charge.

Range Interest Changes: This is the 2020 EV Chev Bolt story coming out later this year. Chevy recently announced EPA ratings for the new Bolt, with a commendable 259 miles on a single charge. That figure, up 21 miles from the current Bolt, solves potential buyers' range concerns when considering EVs. According to the AAA, 20 percent — or nearly 50 million — of Americans want to buy an electric car as their next car. The figure represents a 15 percent jump since 2017.

“At Chevrolet, we are constantly listening to customer feedback and listening to the desire to expand the range,” explained Tim Greve, director of global battery cell design and strategy. "The team has been hard at work finding ways to improve battery power, giving customers the confidence to go more than the extra mile."

2020 Chevy Bolt: Cell Chemistry Changes

A team of battery engineers spent most of their time improving the energy of the cell's electrodes. While it sounds like a Hercules task, Chevy says it was more about little tricks than moving mountains. The automaker describes these changes to Bolt's cellular chemistry as small but effective. Although they don't elaborate on it, Chevy says the changes won't affect the packaging. Even though the range increases, the physical size of the battery remains the same as its position in the car's architecture.

The lithium-ion battery contains 288 cells with an output power of 66 kWh. The battery itself is 430 pounds, which is about 12 percent of the 2020 Chevy Bolt's curb weight (3,563 pounds). With a DC fast charger, the 2020 Chevy Bolt will be back to 90 miles in 30 minutes. The 240-volt charger is an overnight option that will recharge a new bolt to 100 percent in about 10 hours. Chevy's recent collaboration with Qmerit is to help owners find offers from certified electricians to install charging equipment at home.

Together with the battery, a permanent magnet motor works. All said and done, the 2020 Chevy Bolt puts out 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. torque through final drive ratio 7.05:1.

2020 Chevy Bolt. Photo: Chevrolet.

Fixed assets

The 2020 Chevy Bolt rides on independent (MacPherson) strut-style suspension with a solid anti-roll bar up front, and a coil-spring torsion beam supports the rear. The Bolt's electric steering swivels 35 feet, which is good for busy parking lots and small city streets. The four-wheel ABS disc system is electro-hydraulic and partially recuperative, with 11" vented rotors at the front and 10" solid rotors at the rear. Michelin Energy Saver all-season tires are the icing on the cake for 17-inch wheels.

How big is the 2020 Chevy Bolt?

As for dimensions: The 2020 Chevy Bolt has a 102.4-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 164 inches. The width is 69.5 inches; height 62.8 inches. The cargo volume behind the second row is 16.9 cubic feet; the total cargo volume is 56.6 cubic feet. Front height is 39.7 inches and rear is 37.9 inches. In contrast, legroom is 41.6 inches up front and 36.5 inches in the back.

2020 Chevy Bolt interior layout. Photo: Chevrolet.

Pricing and Availability

Expect the new Bolt in dealerships later this year with a starting MSRP of 37,495 $. Two new body colors are offered: Cayenne Orange Metallic and Oasis Blue. The 2020 Bolt includes the Energy Assist feature via the myChevrolet mobile app. It helps drivers look for charging stations, plan a trip with multiple waypoints, and also track their route.