The EV world is currently not in the realm of the economy car buyer. With manufacturers designing extravagant vehicles full of pricey options, rocket ship performance, and impractical ranges, most EV vehicles sold are reserved for the second or third car of a well to do household.
The average price of an EV sold in the United States is $61,488 according to Kelley Blue Book.
There are very few affordable battery-only EV cars on the market. In my opinion, one of the best entry-level EVs on the market is the Chevrolet Bolt, which General Motors axed last week.
The first Chevrolet Bolt was delivered in December 2016 after leaving the Orion, Michigan plant. Reception was cool, but by mid-2017 the Bolt was selling at higher numbers than Tesla, making it the most popular battery only EV in the land.
With a 238-mile range, the Bolt made for a great, no-frills car for A to B transportation. With a price tag of around $37,000 plus tax credits, the Bolt made financial sense to many.
It has never mattered to car enthusiasts what a car looks like on paper. It is more about feeling and being a good match for their lifestyle, needs, and situation. The Bolt has a good number of people who swear by them and many of them are disappointed at the decision to discontinue it.
“I love my Bolt, and I am never going to get rid of it. I bought the Bolt because of the range. I test drove a Nissan Leaf for a week, and it was in the winter. You lose a lot of range when you use the heater. I drove to work and, on the way back, I just didn’t think it was going to make it,” explained Ashley Strong-Green, explaining why she owns a Bolt.
The Bolt has been the target of criticism due to battery issues, which are produced by Korea based electronics manufacturer LG. After a dozen battery failures that led to fires, Chevrolet has now recalled every Bolt they made for a battery replacement.
They have also advised customers not to charge or store their cars in their garage overnight due to the risk of fire.
Torn anode tabs and separators that keep each cell insulated were deemed to be a cause and more problems were found in some of the manufactured battery packs. According to CNN, this recall will cost LG $14,000 per unit to repair, adding up to over $2 Billion dollars.
In the defense of Chevrolet, they have worked tirelessly to fix this problem and have even offered to buy some cars back. Recalls are common on many cars, and how a manufacturer handles them speaks volumes about the company.
Recalls and design flaws can taint the reputation of the name of a car model. That is exactly what happened to the Ford Pinto and it could be the reason Chevrolet is distancing itself from the Bolt in the future.
The Bow-Tie Brand is planning to offer more EVs like the Silverado truck and the Equinox SUV, but at a much higher price than the entry level Bolt. The Bolt is a very small car but takes up a lot of factory floor space that can be used for more expensive models that make more money.
“I think it is a dumb decision to cut off your flagship EV car. It’s a good car and it has a really strong built-in community that absolutely loves that car and will not sell those vehicles. I just think it was a lost opportunity. What is the point of going through this whole overhaul if you didn’t intend to continue it?” Strong-Green said about the halt of production.
If automobile manufacturers want wide EV adoption, they need to start with the average person’s needs. Affordability must be on the radar with EV implementation.
The Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle weren’t revolutionary, they were cheap, reliable, and available to the masses. Six-figure MSRP supercars are an awesome display of how far cars have come, but access and buyer commitment are a key indication of how far we will go.
As for me, I’ll see you on the road… in my fantastic, affordable Lexus that was discontinued in 2017!
