[Brad Fitzgerald]

So I made the leap today. I purchase my first EV which also happens to be my first Chevy. I got a 2018 LT with fast charging in Cajun Red. Im looking to leverage the lower cost of ownership, less gas cost, and the HOV lane access here in Los Angeles. My commute is 100 miles roundtrip, so any help i can get, right?

In addition to those advantages, I'm excited to be a part of a new chapter of autos. Learning a lot from everyone here, so excited to find this community.

 

[shotel]

Greetings Brad.

As a L.A. refugee myself, I can relate with such a commute. Is yours coming out of L.A. to OC, or perhaps East to San Bernardino, Ontario, or Riverside?

I think you will immediately see and feel how less stressful the Bolt is when dealing with that drive. Not much is mentioned of it, but between the quiet, silence, no vibration, and 1-pedal driving + not having to keep ones legs/feet tensed and in action all the time is such a relief. Resting both feet when stopped (which as I recall will be often in L.A. traffic) is a game changing pleasure.

Also, how did you come about the Bolt decision, considering that it's your first EV? You know that one can't swing a dead cat in L.A. without hitting a Tesla; did you consider a Model 3/S or X? Did you consider anything else?

 

[Brad Fitzgerald]

My commute is LA to OC. I’ve been doing it for the last few years and decided I couldn’t contribute without some sort of relief. If I can shave 10-15 min each way, it will be a significant improvement.

What pushed me towards EVs (aside from the afore mentioned benefits) was that my new job has onsite charging, so it gave me piece of mind that I could top off if I was low.

As for the Bolt, it was pretty easy. Not as expensive as a Tesla and enough range to get me where I needed to go without range anxiety. While the Teslas look great, I like the Bolt too. It looks like a sporty, normal car. Some of the EVs look too overstyled. The Bolt is just right. I’m coming from a GTI, so the hot-hatch format is home for me.


A Tesla would be great, but TBH, I’ve driven a really fancy car in LA and it’s nice but I spent too much time worrying about protecting it.

 

[NY-Rob]

What pushed me towards EVs (aside from the aforementioned benefits) was that my new job has onsite charging, so it gave me piece of mind that I could top off if I was low.

Great decision to go with the Bolt!


And.... the guy who decided to provide the EVSE at your job will feel good that you're using his setup.

 

[PhilBo]

Welcome to the forum.
The Cajun Red is beautiful and what a great advantage to be able to charge at work!

 

[WanderingStudent]

Congrats, Brad! My wife did the opposite commute from OC to LA. Not much better, so we decided to move to LA. Anyway, love the Red. It's my second-favorite Bolt color. Enjoy the work-site charging!

 

[BoltFan]

Nice! Welcome!

Hope you find this forum both insightful and helpful and ... from time to time ...just plain fun!

Congrats on you new Chevy BoltEV !!!

 

[keeperchris]

Welcome Brad.
Great choice for many reasons.
Our Chevy Bolt & Volt are our first Chevys too.
Honestly would not have considered the brand if not for the EV.
I am so happy with the decision.

 

[discodanman45]

So I made the leap today. I purchase my first EV which also happens to be my first Chevy. I got a 2018 LT with fast charging in Cajun Red. Im looking to leverage the lower cost of ownership, less gas cost, and the HOV lane access here in Los Angeles. My commute is 100 miles roundtrip, so any help i can get, right?

In addition to those advantages, I'm excited to be a part of a new chapter of autos. Learning a lot from everyone here, so excited to find this community.

This is what the Bolt is built for. A 100 mile commute with heavy traffic and emitting no pollution. You will be driving a car that costs half in fuel that what a Prius costs in California with our high gas cost, and performs better than a mustang in the traffic with the instant torque. Congrats on the Bolt and if you have another ICE car it will soon be traded in for another EV

 

[NY-Rob]

Our Chevy Bolt & Volt are our first Chevys too.
Honestly would not have considered the brand if not for the EV.
I am so happy with the decision.

Exact same scenario here... never owned a Chevy before... bought the 2014 Volt (brand new)... was so impressed with it I had no reservations at all purchasing the 2017 Bolt.


Extremely happy with both vehicles, and am very impressed with their reliability!

 

[GlenandhisBolt1!]

My Bolt is also my first Chevy - and my first American built car. Mine has been totally reliable from the day I bought it (6000 miles on it now).

Be sure to apply for your tax credit and rebates: federal tax credit, state rebate through the Center for Sustainable Energy, and the rebate from Southern California Edison. I'm sure you already applied for your clean air vehicle decals from DMV. You can't drive solo in the HOV lanes until you get them.

 

[max]

My first Chevy as well. I have some notes in the nitpick thread and they mirror most others but the more I drive it, the more I love it.
Recently discovered I can plug in for free at the Gym and now get 5 hours a week L2. Haven't plugged in at home in over a month. Enjoy the EV life!

 

[PhilBo]

Wow, I just realized my first Chevy was a 1948. I need to go to the junkyard and wish it a happy 70th birthday!

 

[SteveCaz]

Congrats! I also have at work charging but it's getting crowded. 3 Model 3s showed up in the last 2 weeks. So we are up to 8 Volts 2 Bolts 4 Model 3s 1 plugin Prius 1 eGolf and a stupid BMW 5 series with a small battery that for some reason needs to be plugged in all the time? We have 16 staions on site and have asked for more. We will see what happens. Enjoy the car it is awesome!

 

[shotel]

3 Model 3s showed up in the last 2 weeks. So we are up to 8 Volts 2 Bolts 4 Model 3s 1 plugin Prius 1 eGolf and a stupid BMW 5 s

Would love to see a group picture of all those EV's at the company charging station! A shot like that could go a long way in getting other organizations to make the small investment in employee happiness. Like a field of dreams, Build it and they will come.

 

[PhilBo]

Would love to see a group picture of all those EV's at the company charging station! A shot like that could go a long way in getting other organizations to make the small investment in employee happiness. Like a field of dreams, Build it and they will come.

A family photo! Awwww!

 

[SteveCaz]

Large campus with 3 different stations. I will try and get some.

 

[SteveCaz]

2 Model 3s my Bolt a Volt and a eGolf at one station.

 

[shotel]

2 Model 3s my Bolt a Volt and a eGolf at one station.

Cool, now if you could possibly get a drone with a 4K camera on a gimbal to give a panoramic birds-eye view of the charging stations and the EV's, as well as the happy, smiling employees as they plug-in their electron Chariots ... >

Yeah, this scene should be as common place as parking curb stops at every mid to large size business employee parking area.
Very envious of your company culture.

 

[SteveCaz]

We are a larger player in automotive semiconductors. All started with a few Volts on one station (2 plugs) and a senior VP got pissed he had to unplug and share with others. So he had 14 more installed. Totally free you must have RFID card to activate. The gas guzzling crowd weren't to happy... they asked why company didn't install gas pumps!! It's a great perk as I never charge at home and this allows wife to charge her Volt at home and work and drive 90% electric.