The Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle is officially headed for production, and the name will stick.
Based on a concept shown at the Detroit auto show, the Bolt will likely be an electric-only hatchback that has a reported range of 200 miles per charge. The timetable for launch is yet unannounced, but the "Bolt" name is officially confirmed, USA Today learned from Chevrolet marketing boss Tim Mahoney. Production is expected to start in Michigan in under two years.
Mahoney averred that the Bolt name is not too similar to "Volt," which is the name of Chevrolet's current plug-in hybrid. The redone, '16 Volt may debut before the Bolt does.
The Bolt will likely supplant the existing Spark EV, which has outstanding low-end torque but is essentially a gasoline-powered car converted into an electric vehicle. The Bolt hatchback will be electric-only by design.
Our take: As General Motors redoubles its efforts in alternative powertrain—while keeping nameplates like the Cadillac ELR afloat with minor changes—the company will face an uphill battle from EV manufacturer Tesla in the short term.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
