EV experience so far

Did you check to see if the tires on your Bolt has run-flat capability? I don't know, but I saw something that indicated that they were self-sealing. Before spending money on a spare and jack, check out the capability of the tires first.

Well, I just picked up my brand new Chevy Bolt EV Friday.

So far so good, other than if feels like I'm driving around in a computer, but I guess that's true of every new car these days.

It turns out I'm going to get the full $7500 tax credit on my Bolt. Chevy had run through it's credit allotment under the old program. New legislation reinstated it beginning Jan 1 but its only going to be half because the battery components are sourced from China (which is true for all EVs right now). It will take a couple of years to get that stuff into compliance. But the feds haven't posted the final detailed rules yet so they are allowing a two month extension. So, I hit the right window. Whoo hoo! After tax credit, VA tax and tags the Bolt came in right around $25k, and that's with a nice mid trim level. Not bad at all.

I'm also impressed by GMs build quality so far. Weve been a Toyota family for going on 35 years, like many Americans we got away from considering cars built by the US manufacturers back then because of a couple bad quality experiences. The Bolt now has very nice fit and finish, panels are aligned nicely, nicely stiched fabrics, paint isn't orange peeled, etc. Up to or close to Toyota standards are far as I can tell. No complaints so far.

Vehicle has great ride and handling, very quiet, plenty of power at 150kw/200hp. Seems planted because of the low C of G. So far everything I've tried on the car works but it will probably take weeks to months to learn all the features, if I ever do.

I really like the one pedal driving option, which is the preferred way to drive an EV. Basically, you never use your friction brakes except on a very steep hill or in an emergency, all your normal braking is done by lifting your right foot, the motor turns into a generator and the energy goes back into your battery.

Re charging, I purchased the $250 dual 240V/120V charge cable. GM will either pay you up to $1000 towards the 240V "level 2" charger installation or you can opt for a $500 credit at public chargers. Since I already have a 240V receptacle for my welder I'm opting for the $500. Just have to change the receptacle itself which is a NEMA 15-50 and get an adapter for the welder, which uses a NEMA 6-50. So my cost for home charging infrastructure is going to be all of $35. That will charge the car from empty overnight. In the meantime I'm using the 120V, 12A option which is ridiculously slow. I'm hoping the $500 credit is good indefinetely because it will be a very long time before we can use that up.

Anyhow I've taken the next step toward a fossil fuel free future, Next comes the RV solar upgrade I'm in the middle of (the drive system will remain an ICE) . Then the electric tractor conversion project and home solar install next summer.

Last will be my work/tow vehicle, maybe a used F150 lightning in a couple of years? The plane isn't going to get electrified in the foreseeable future, so I'll have to wait till I'm too old to fly and RV anymore to be fully fossil fuel free. That's ok, those vehicles are recreational. I'll have cut my fuel use by about 80% without them.