[NewsCoulomb]

So I finally published my two year anniversary trip. It's mostly about the networks, but I also close with some of my thoughts about the Bolt EV after two years. As of publishing, I guess we finally do have two other >200-mile, sub $40,000 EVs on the market with a few others on the way, but my point still stands: My two year anniversary has come and gone. Technically, GM is two years ahead of their competition, so while their lack of announcements and updates is a bit concerning, it's really hard to believe that they have fallen behind in any way.

https://youtu.be/E5hRCcInmJM

 

[wonderbolt]

Good update, congratulations on your two year anniversary and thanks for sharing your ownership, driving, and charging experiences with us all.

In my opinion, I would refine your statement that "Technically, GM is two years ahead of their competition" to something more like, as it now turns out when the 2017 Bolt launched it was in so many ways technically ahead of the competition.

• Range
• Cost
• Usability / practicality

But as the EV market has evolved, and GM has not yet substantially updated the design, the Bolt appears to be falling behind in

• Max DCFC rate still below 1C
• Aggressive DCFC taper curve
• refinement of UI software / features with the existing population or with a few exceptions the newer model year vehicles

All in all, it is still an amazing engineering accomplishment and a fantastically dependable, reliable, competitive, and incredibly fun to drive vehicle. As of today I am only about 4 months, but many miles behind you in my Bolt experience, and I am more impressed with it today then I was the day I got it.

I am beginning to wonder if the reason we have not heard of any near term GM EV's (In the next 18 months, GM will introduce two new all-electric vehicles based off learnings from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. 10/02/2017) is due to the end of the Federal tax credit approaching and the persistence of the Bolt still being relatively competitive to the long range EV competition.


The "Cadillac being the first BEV3 brand" announcement has me a bit concerned

 

[discodanman45]

The one thing I got out of this video is how lucky I am to be able to charge from home and when I go on trips I can access the supercharger network. All those cars parked in front of charging stations in populated areas is hard to watch. They really need to start towing and fining people for parking in EV charging spots.

It is crazy expensive to use superchargers and I really don't think your 3.9 cents per mile driven is correct for your two years. If it is, you are charging at work for about 2 cents per kWh. Your road trips cost you at least $0.40 per kWh with the various networks. This is more expensive than a 30 mpg ICE car per mile.

You also give me anxiety watching you pull into a supercharger with one bar left! I can't believe you never had to get towed!

 

[Sean Nelson]

Good update, congratulations on your two year anniversary and thanks for sharing your ownership, driving, and charging experiences with us all.

I heartily agree!

In my opinion, I would refine your statement that "Technically, GM is two years ahead of their competition" to something more like, as it now turns out when the 2017 Bolt launched it was in so many ways technically ahead of the competition.

Yes, 20/20 hindsight shows us that when the Bolt was introduced GM was 2 years ahead of the competition. At the moment they seem to be tied for the lead. Where they'll be two years from now is anyone's guess.

 

[NewsCoulomb]

But as the EV market has evolved, and GM has not yet substantially updated the design, the Bolt appears to be falling behind in

• Max DCFC rate still below 1C
  [*]Aggressive DCFC taper curve
• refinement of UI software / features with the existing population or with a few exceptions the newer model year vehicles

The statement in bold is a mischaracterization of the Bolt EV's charging taper. It actually matches the charging curve for most of the modern EVs (it's almost identical to the Kona Electric and Niro EV in step downs). In fact, if you account for the fact that the Model 3 uses a taper as opposed to a step down, the Bolt EV's charging curve is almost identical to the Model 3's.

Now, yes, the C rating needs to improve, but again, it's not that different than the Kona Electric and Niro EV, which appear to have a 1.1 C charging rate.

I am beginning to wonder if the reason we have not heard of any near term GM EV's (In the next 18 months, GM will introduce two new all-electric vehicles based off learnings from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. 10/02/2017) is due to the end of the Federal tax credit approaching and the persistence of the Bolt still being relatively competitive to the long range EV competition.

I think the lack of announcements is strategic. GM is fully aware of the Osborne Effect, and they are most likely going to hold off on announcing any new EVs until they've moved their current inventory.

The one thing I got out of this video is how lucky I am to be able to charge from home and when I go on trips I can access the supercharger network. All those cars parked in front of charging stations in populated areas is hard to watch. They really need to start towing and fining people for parking in EV charging spots.

I agree. The fact that it was right next to a Supercharger and a couple of the cars blocking chargers were Teslas was very aggravating. Of course, that being said, it was one of the busiest shopping weekends, so it shouldn't be surprising. Either way, I would avoid that location for normal traveling. Even several Tesla owners I know say that they avoid the Supercharger at that location at all costs.

It is crazy expensive to use superchargers and I really don't think your 3.9 cents per mile driven is correct for your two years. If it is, you are charging at work for about 2 cents per kWh. Your road trips cost you at least $0.40 per kWh with the various networks. This is more expensive than a 30 mpg ICE car per mile.

The faster chargers I've displayed recently tend to be the most expensive. Also, it's worth noting that the pubic DCFC networks have increased their prices significantly recently, so for my first two years, I was spending $4.50 to $6 for most of my 30-minute charge sessions. Some of the ChargePoint chargers were even cheaper (some were even free).

You also give me anxiety watching you pull into a supercharger with one bar left! I can't believe you never had to get towed!

I keep hearing that. But 2% is like 6 to 8 miles. That's plenty.

 

[VoltoBolt]

Just curious: why didn't you stay or return to Interstate-5 instead of 101?

 

[GregBrew]

Just curious: why didn't you stay or return to Interstate-5 instead of 101?

Six months ago, the 101 had many more DCFC options. Might no longer be the case now. The 101 is a more "interesting" drive, but the 5 is faster, even to Paso Robles wine country on the 101 at the 46. I take the 5 with the Volt, the 101 with the Bolt. I might try the 5 with the Bolt next time.

 

[VoltoBolt]

Six months ago, the 101 had many more DCFC options. Might no longer be the case now. The 101 is a more "interesting" drive, but the 5 is faster, even to Paso Robles wine country on the 101 at the 46. I take the 5 with the Volt, the 101 with the Bolt. I might try the 5 with the Bolt next time.

So the OP waited 6 months to post about his Two Year Anniversary trip?

And where did he get a Bolt EV in September 2016; my understanding is that they were not generally released to the public until December, 2016 and I was the "first one off the lot" at my dealer on January 3, 2017!?!

 

[NewsCoulomb]

Just curious: why didn't you stay or return to Interstate-5 instead of 101?

Numerous reasons.

• This was January, and I tend to avoid the Grapevine during winter. This trip, there were questions whether Tejon pass would be open, and the trip I took after this, it was actually closed.
• Highway 101 is the more scenic route.
• I like to keep tabs on the public infrastructure development, so I wanted to check out some locations along the way (the newish Electrify America charger in Livermore and the upcoming Recargo site in San Luis Obispo).
• I live in Ventura, so the longer, slower Highway 101 route is mostly offset by the fact that I am 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles (essentially, the two routes are the same distance for me).

 

[VoltoBolt]

All perfectly valid reasons; thank you!

Have you driven the wonderfully scenic route from near Six Flags Magic Mountain on Interstate-5 to Ventura on Hiway 126?

I especially enjoy stopping in Fillmore and Santa Paula on that route?

Thanks also for the heads up on the Recargo location coming in San Luis Obispo.

I used to drive up the I-5 to Hiway 46 and use the DCFC in Paso Robles at Cool Hand Lukes, which has become unreliable. SO then I have been going to the Marigold Center in San Luis Obispo.

Now that Interstate-5 has opened up with the Chevron Coalinga DCFC at the 198 exit, I am looking forward to making a trip on Interstate-5 from Los Angeles to Eugene Oregon and back at the end of this month.

 

[GregBrew]

So the OP waited 6 months to post about his Two Year Anniversary trip?

And where did he get a Bolt EV in September 2016; my understanding is that they were not generally released to the public until December, 2016 and I was the "first one off the lot" at my dealer on January 3, 2017!?!

I'm not the OP. I was just chiming in on possible reasons for choosing between the 101 and the 5 with my Bolt and Volt.

 

[NewsCoulomb]

All perfectly valid reasons; thank you!

Have you driven the wonderfully scenic route from near Six Flags Magic Mountain on Interstate-5 to Ventura on Hiway 126?

I especially enjoy stopping in Fillmore and Santa Paula on that route?

Thanks also for the heads up on the Recargo location coming in San Luis Obispo.

I used to drive up the I-5 to Hiway 46 and use the DCFC in Paso Robles at Cool Hand Lukes, which has become unreliable. SO then I have been going to the Marigold Center in San Luis Obispo.

Now that Interstate-5 has opened up with the Chevron Coalinga DCFC at the 198 exit, I am looking forward to making a trip on Interstate-5 from Los Angeles to Eugene Oregon and back at the end of this month.

Highway 126 is one of my regular, daily commutes, so maybe I'm desensitized. If you want a real scenic, fun drive, you can take Highway 33 over (though it adds several hours to the trip).

ChargePoint has another site coming on at the Grapevine, so hopefully, that is up by the time you return. Their site in Stockton also looks like it has gone online. It's almost possible to travel from Los Angeles to Eugene using only the ChargePoint network at this point. Pretty cool.