The Redesigned 2022 Chevy Bolt EV: Priced Right For Budget Buyers

August 13th, 2021 by

A pale blue 2022 Chevy Bolt EV is shown from the side driving past a fire hydrant.

If you’re a new car buyer looking to jump on the electric vehicle (EV) trend, but working with a smaller budget has you concerned about affordability, you’ll be happy to discover that the new Chevy vehicles in stock include the completely redesigned 2022 Chevy Bolt EV. Priced at just a hair over $30,000 before incentives and rebates, it’s an affordable all-electric option you’ll love.

The Chevy Bolt EV combines an extended driving range with surprisingly nimble performance, all in an affordable package that’s big on style. With the Bolt EV, Chevy hopes to bring in a crop of buyers who’ve been ready to embrace the electric vehicle lifestyle but couldn’t overcome the traditionally high price tag.

It’s all part of a global strategy to electrify the entire Chevrolet vehicle lineup. The Bolt EV sits at the cutting edge of Chevy’s plan and represents the next generation of cars that America’s largest manufacturer plans to manufacture going forward. These zero-emission vehicles are becoming even more desirable as the availability of charging stations increases.

Is an EV right for you? Since budget is no longer a barrier, buyers can turn their attention to driving range, performance, and the EV lifestyle. Making the switch has never been easier or more affordable, thanks to the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV.

Charging and Driving Range

Early EV buyers experienced a lot of range anxiety, not only because charging stations were few and far between, but driving ranges were often only in the double digits. Today, a network of over 40,000 public stations is available to EV drivers, and with standard DC Fast Charging, you can fully charge your EV in the time it takes to enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Chevy knows that buyers worry not only about driving range but also about charging complexity. The Bolt EV is designed to allay those fears, making connecting a charger no more difficult than plugging in your smartphone. If you’re on the road, you can use the MyChevy app to locate the nearest charging station and estimate the time required to recharge, eliminating the guesswork.

When you buy a 2022 Bolt EV, Chevy even foots the bill for and helps coordinate the installation of a Level 2 charging station in your garage or driveway, so getting set up to charge at home is even easier. All you have to do is pull your car in, connect it to the charger, and wake up to a fully charged vehicle with nearly 260 miles of range. It’s even easier than operating the pump at a gas station, which is exactly what Chevy envisioned.

DC fast charging means your Bolt EV reaches a full charge faster, getting you on the road and on your way to enjoying 200 horsepower and a 0-60 time of just 6.5 seconds. With One Pedal Driving, you can even recapture energy as you drive and skip constantly applying the brakes. This will help you get a few more miles of range and a smoother ride.

Besides never having to visit a gas station again, another benefit of driving an electric vehicle is that oil changes are no longer necessary. In fact, routine maintenance as we know it is essentially a thing of the past. While there are still some maintenance requirements, eliminating the traditional combustion engine makes it easier and less expensive to keep your vehicle running factory new.

A close up shows the gauge cluster in a 2022 Chevy Bolt EV.

Technology and In-Vehicle Options

The 2022 Bolt EV is equipped with complementary technology to maximize driving efficiency and keep owners informed about key vehicle data, including range and driving history. The onboard system is designed for ease of use, with a digital driver information center prominently displayed on the dash so that you always have key data at your fingertips.

The Bolt EV’s cabin is upscale and ergonomically pleasant, thanks to small details like the D-shaped, flat-bottom steering wheel, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, and a combination of toggles and push buttons that replace the traditional shifter. The front bucket seats are sporty and comfortable, and the available 57 cubic feet of cargo space comes in handy.

The Bolt EV steps it up significantly on the infotainment front, with a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen – a size typically reserved for high-end luxury cars – with standard Apply CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a standard Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as an optional wireless phone charger for cord-free device charging.

The touchscreen is powered by Chevy’s Infotainment 3 system, rendering it lightning-fast for touch inputs and Bluetooth connectivity. The system is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, so integrating your Bolt EV with an at-home smart device is easy. The infotainment system even includes the popular Spotify music streaming app.

For its debut model year, the Bolt EV is available in two trims: the base 1LT and the upgraded 2LT. There’s roughly a $4,000 difference between the two, with the 2LT featuring higher-end luxury equipment, including leather-appointed seats and an HD Surround Vision camera. Grab the optional infotainment package, and you’ll also get a powerful 7-speaker Bose audio system.

Safety and Driver Assist

Chevy has equipped both Bolt EV trims with standard Chevy Safety Assist, a suite of driver-assist programs that work together to keep the driver alert, aware, and protected from hazards. The system includes five features that utilize cameras and sensors located strategically around the vehicle.

Front Pedestrian Braking works at speeds below 50 mph. If the system senses a pedestrian entering the vehicle’s path, it alerts the driver and automatically applies the brakes to avoid a collision. Forward Collision Alert & Automatic Emergency braking works essentially the same way to avoid vehicles in front of you.

Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning is especially helpful during long, boring highway drives when your attention tends to lapse. The system can tell when the vehicle starts drifting to the edge of its intended lane of travel. It alerts the driver audibly and provides gentle steering nudges to get back on track.

Following Distance Indicator is an intelligent radar-based system that calculates the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead, alerting you when you are tailgating, so you can always keep a safe distance away and allow enough room to stop if necessary.

Chevy Safety Assist also includes the handy IntelliBeam automatic high beams, which switch off and on in response to oncoming traffic without any driver input. Adaptive Cruise Control is also available, letting drivers select the distance desired. Once it’s set, the system will automatically adjust speed to maintain the desired distance.

One of the most popular new Chevy vehicles in stock, a pale blue 2022 Chevy Bolt EV, is shown at a charging station.

The Highest Value Electric Vehicle

Advanced safety is just one of many next-generation features you’ll find on the 2022 Bolt EV. Chevy is working hard to make electric vehicles available to buyers at all price points, including budget buyers, as well as addressing historical buyer hesitations (like driving range). If you’ve been holding out for an EV at a price you can afford, the Bolt EV may be the perfect solution.

Chevy backs up its Bolt EV with an 8-year/100,000-mile battery and electric component warranty, part of its Chevrolet Complete Care package. The package also includes 24-hour roadside assistance, emergency towing, and 24/7 access to live operators for assistance with your EV.

In the march toward a fully electric new vehicle lineup, the team at Chevy offers up a glimpse of the future in the all-new 2022 Bolt EV. With comparable performance capability and an extended driving range that eliminates battery anxiety, the Bolt EV chips away at traditional buyer hesitations and makes a compelling case for leaving gas-powered cars behind forever.