2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Hatchback

　　2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review

　　byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　11/29/2023

　　Overview

　　The Chevrolet Bolt EV debuted as an all-electric hatchback in 2017 and quickly gained a loyal following as one of the most affordable electric vehicles. In a rather baffling move, GM canceled the Bolt EV and the larger Bolt EUV at the end of 2023. Thankfully that decision has been reversed and we're expecting an all-new second generation for the 2025 model year. There's very little information on the next Bolt EV, but GM says it will continue as an affordable EV with adequate range.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Affordability and range

EVs are more expensive than their internal combustion engine counterparts, and even if you take into account the fuel savings you'll reap over the years, the price can be a tough initial pill to swallow. Historically, the Chevy Bolt EV has been one of the most affordable ways to make the switch and, as an American-made EV, it was eligible for some favorable government incentives. We're hopeful the new model will remain budget-friendly and fairly robust with range. The first generation offered an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles on a charge, but in real-world testing we exceeded that figure, going 278 miles. We expect the next Bolt to improve upon these numbers.

　　

Competitors to consider

If Bolt EV pricing remains comparable to the first generation, we expect it to start in the $30,000 range. The biggest threat at that price is the new 2025 Volvo EX30, which offers up to 275 miles of estimated range. Other affordable EVs have significantly less range. The Nissan Leaf maxes out at 212 miles, while the tiny Mini Cooper SE is rated at only 114 miles. For a few thousand more, we point shoppers to the Hyundai Kona Electric with its range of about 260 miles (though it went 308 miles in the zzdcar EV Range Test). Among all of these choices, the Bolt EV seems best positioned to secure the federal EV tax credit.

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Learn more about EV charging

　　zzdcar says

　　Hopes are high for the revived 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV. With any luck, it will be as affordable and competent as its predecessor.