2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV specs – 200 hp and 360 Nm

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV made its debut at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas just a few days ago, and now, the all-electric five-door hatch makes its prescence felt at the ongoing North American International Auto Show. This time, Chevrolet has divulged more information in regards to the Bolt’s electric powertrain.

The drive system on the Bolt EV consists of a single high capacity electric motor. The automaker say that the motor uses an offset gear and shaft configuration designed to meet efficiency and performance targets – important to meet its claimed range that exceeds 320 km.

Power output is rated at 150 kW or 200 hp, with 360 Nm of torque available. As an electric motor generates its maximum torque from 0 rpm, when combined with the Bolt EV’s 7.05:1 final drive ratio, a sprint from 0-96 km/h (60 mph) in the Bolt EV will take less than seven seconds.

To manage the power delivery, Chevrolet has fitted its Electronic Precision Shift control system. The shift and park-by-wire system sends electronic signals to the Bolt EV’s drive unit to provide precise feel and delivery of power and torque, based on drive mode selection and accelerator inputs.

The “fuel” for the electric motor comes from a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that was developed together with Chevrolet’s strategic partner, LG Electronics. The 435 kg, floor-mounted battery pack consists of 288 lithium-ion cells that are kept at optimum operating temperature thanks to an active thermal conditioning that is similar to that found in the larger Volt.

Chevrolet also claim that the nickel-rich lithium-ion chemistry provides “improved thermal operating performance over other chemistries, which requires a smaller active cooling system for more efficient packaging.” It also guarantees an eight-year or 160,934 km (100,000 km), whichever comes first, limited warranty on the Bolt’s battery pack.

Keeping the batteries charged involves using the standard equipment 7.2 kW on-board charger, which connects to a 240 volt wall box for regular overnight charging. A typical commute of 80 km can be recharged in less than two hours.

Alternatively, the process can be accelerated with the optional DC Fast Charging system using the industry standard SAE Combo connector, allowing the Bolt EV’s battery to be charged up to 145 km of range in just 30 minutes.

The Bolt can also recharge its battery pack via regenerative braking. In this instance, Chevrolet has extend the functionality of the feature by introducing the ability to provide one pedal driving for the Bolt. This is accomplished through a combination of increased regenerative deceleration and software controls, allowing the vehicle to slow down and come to a complete stop without using the brake pedal in certain driving conditions.

When operating the Bolt EV in “Low” mode, or by holding the Regen on Demand paddle located on the back of the steering wheel, the driver can bring the vehicle to a complete stop under most circumstances by simply lifting their foot off the accelerator, although the system does not relieve the need to use the brake pedal altogether.

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