AutoNSider Review | 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Chevy is at it again – electrifying the auto industry!

The introduction of the Bolt EV is quite different than the introduction of its long-standing plug-in hybrid, Volt. And for good reason. The Bolt EV is Chevrolet’s first all-electric vehicle (without the security of the combustible engine backup like the Volt), and if you have followed the electrification of the automobile, you will know that “range anxiety” associated with electric vehicles is real.

To date, Americans have given electric vehicles a “lukewarm” reception at best; in part due to the unattainability based on pricing and the inconvenience of short battery life and limited driving distance range (range anxiety). Chevrolet has worked hard to address both issues.

The 2019 Bolt EV has an EPA estimated range of 238 miles. When we take into consideration a report by ABC News that the average American commutes 16 miles to work each way, theoretically, a Bolt EV owner would only need to charge their vehicle once a week, relieving the range anxiety. As far as pricing goes, its not cheap at $43,905.00 MSRP, but taking into consideration the average price of a sedan in 2018 is $36,270.00, according to Kelly Blue Book, and the fact that the Bolt EV qualifies for up to $7,500.00 in Federal Tax Credits, it falls just below the cost of the average sedan. And that’s before you take into consideration the annual fuel costs savings.

Now that that’s settle, let’s see what new roads we can find in our Bolt EV. We took the Bolt EV on a short, 25-mile trip from Metro Atlanta to Serenbe in Palmetto, Georgia. What a perfect environment to showcase the sustainability of the Bolt and how to integrate it into such an intentional lifestyle. According to the Serenbes developer’s, “Serenbe is a wellness community connected to nature on the edge of Atlanta. A neighborhood full of fresh food, fresh air and focused on wellbeing. This community is set among acres of preserved forests and meadows with miles of nature trails that connect homes and restaurants with arts and businesses.”

The highway trip was uneventful and the Bolt EV gave no indications that we were travelling in an electric vehicle, other than the exhilarating ramp acceleration from the torquey electric motor and eerily quiet cabin. My co-pilot (the lovely Mrs. Killian) connected her laptop to the 4G LTE WI-FI Spot and led a conference call while in route.

Once I was able to drag her away from her work, Chef Brian led us on a guided tour of Serenbe Farms where the farm manager shared all that goes into maintaining an organic garden so close to an urban environment. Chef Brian creates his menu based on the availability of crops, which can be a weekly endeavor. While we toured the garden, Chef Brian was busy gathering vegetables for our cooking class to follow. Talk about fresh!

We spent the afternoon learning to properly harvest and prepare local crops while allowing nature to guide our palate. The culinary experience was unexpected and unmatched. If you have not experienced all that is Serenbe, I encourage you to take a day trip to Serenbe in Palmetto, Ga., and if you find yourself taking advantage of that tax credit, the Bolt EV, has one more advantage…VIP parking.