Chevrolet’s Electric Car Slated for 2017

Mar 3, 2015

We can do that

According to a wired.com article published on January 13th, 2015, Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelly Blue Book, says that Chevrolet took a look at the cost of production, volume and market numbers, and the range that Elon Musk of Tesla was stating for the Model 3, and said “We can do that. Brauer continues to say that with the presence Chevrolet has in the market place, they “…[wouldn’t] make those claims lightly.”

Given that Chevrolet has major mass production savvy, manufacturing know how, dealer infrastructure, and a access to a deep history of electric vehicle development dating back to the mid 1990’s, along with their own, albeit not Tesla level, success with the Chevrolet Volt, they may just hit it out of the park with the Chevrolet Bolt.

Bonus: It’s a sharp looking car

To make the situation even more impressive for Chevrolet, the prototype on display at the NAIS was a sharp looking little car.

The Chevrolet Bolt is loaded with lightweight materials like aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber, and space age woven fabric seats that come together creating a strong, light weight chassis and body. That lighter weight means that there is less energy needed to move it around which translates to better energy capacity in the battery unit.

It’s the batteries that make the difference in electric. Storage, charge, and power have always hindered the development of electric vehicles. That’s where Chevrolet can rocket past Tesla. The fact of the matter is GM has been working on electric since the 1990’s with the EV1. All that R&D is still sitting locked away deep in the vaults of the GM Tech Center in Warren Michigan. Given the advances of materials, technology, and GM’s deep access to engineering talent, smart money says this can come together pretty quick for Chevrolet.

Driving down cost

According to Wired.com, Pam Fletcher, GM’s top engineer for electric vehicles, points to development in the Chevrolet Volt of recent years highlighting the incremental improvements in the technology of battery energy density making a significant difference in realizing a consumer based electric car.

“Those incremental increases in energy density are due to evolving chemistry, constant development, and trial and error on battery pack and cell form factor by GM scientists.” Said Fletcher.

Additional optimistic support for the Bolt comes from Jeremy Michalek, mechanical engineering professor at Carnegie Melon who says, “[s]mall changes to things like cell design, materials, and chemistry, along with mass production, can drive down cost…” according to the Wired.com article.

A real car for real drivers

The Chevrolet Bolt is shaping up to become more than just a high-mileage platform built for regulatory sacrifice to governmental gods in appeasement for less fuel efficient fleets of large cars, trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

And unlike other electrics, like the Fiat 500e that Sergio Marchionne publically asked people not to buy because the company loses $14,000 a car, Chevrolet is planning on making profit from sales of the Bolt. That’s a game changer for Chevrolet, and the consumer.

The Chevrolet Bolt: Coming to GM of Murfreesboro

GM of Murfreesboro is really excited to see the future of electric for our customers here in Tennessee, and we will be first on hand to show you around the Chevrolet Bolt when it hits our floor.

In the meantime, why don’t you come on in and visit us at 1422 NW Broad Street here in Murfreesboro. Or give us a call at 855-448-0719 right now to set an appointment. We’re a friendly bunch of people and we know how to make great deals happen. New, used, lease or purchase, come on in and get your best deal at GM of Murfreesboro.