The new Chevrolet Bolt has a sporty exterior and is relatively spacious inside for an electric vehicle, as the battery is stored in the chassis, allowing for a flat floor.SOPHIE ESTIENNE/AFP / Getty Images
In the electric-vehicle segment, range anxiety combines with price to poison sales at dealerships.
Mary Barra, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors, offers an antidote in the form of the new single-engine Chevrolet Bolt, promising a range of 320 kilometres on a single battery charge in pleasant weather.
As well, the promised price in the United States (after a $7,500 federal rebate) will be approximately $30,000, making the Bolt a potential game-changer in the segment. Canadian prices aren't available yet.
Introduced as a concept car last year at this time, the compact crossover will go into production later this year, a relatively quick turnaround.
"The Bolt EV truly first cracks the code of long range at an affordable price," Ms. Barra said, revealing the car to the public for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show, during a mid-day presentation Wednesday at the Westgate Las Vegas Theatre.
GM is determined to expand its electric and hybrid lineup in spite of sales declines caused by low gas prices, and to demonstrate that it is as much a technology firm as an automotive company.
"We set out to disrupt ourselves and lead in the definition of personal mobility," Ms. Barra said afterward in a roundtable with journalists. She added: "We've demonstrated a commitment to electrification, and we see it as a very important part of the future."
As much as urban commuting, the Bolt car is aimed at ride-sharing services such as Lyft, in which GM invested $500-million (U.S.) this week. A mapping feature points out the most efficient route in order to preserve battery range. And there's a "gamification" feature that allows drivers to compete with other EV owners on range.
The car has a sporty exterior look and is relatively spacious inside for an EV, as the battery is stored in the chassis, allowing for a flat floor. The drive is fun too – the car is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in about seven seconds.
There's a wide range of safety features, and connectivity is progressive with a 26-cm touchscreen, EV navigation mapping, Apple CarPlay and Android audio. Road data collected from privately owned cars and ride-sharing services will be aggregated for engineering research into autonomous vehicles.
"More than a car, it's a platform for OnStar-based features to personalize driving experience," Ms. Barra said.
With Bluetooth technology, the car will prepare for the driver by synching with the smartphone to adjust the temperature in the cabin, detail charging status, provide estimated range, personalize the touchscreen and load music pre-sets.
As introduced in the Cadillac, the rear-view mirror can become a monitor, streamed for a full wide-angle view of what's behind the car, with no obstructions.
The sizeable investments in Lyft and electrical vehicle development may raise questions with shareholders. Ms. Barra said the company has achieved capital efficiencies that customers won't see yet, and promised to be more specific at a later date.
"We've made some tough decisions when we weren't going to make the right return," she said. "But this is the future."