Wait until electric vehicles hit 200 miles on a full charge and cost less than $40,000, they said. Well, we waited patiently and have been rewarded with two models that will do the trick and arrive by the end of 2017. Consumers will be able to choose between the Tesla Model 3, which appeared to a rousing reception on March 31, and the Chevy Bolt EV, GM’s opening salvo that snatched headlines at the Detroit Auto Show of 2015.
They are both coming from U.S. automakers, both hit (or best) the 200-mile mark, and both cost $37,500 or less. Beyond that, there are many differences worth noting as we wait for the first models to roll off their respective assembly lines. Here are five things to keep in mind about the first generation of long-range affordable EVs.
1. Hatchback vs. sedan
Call the Bolt a small station wagon or hatchback as you will; the bottom line is this car has no trunk. There is excellent storage space, however — 56 cubic feet with the back seats down, plus a false floor offering a little more room. That blows away a Nissan Leaf (30 cubic feet) and approaches the Model S cargo capacity (58.1 cubic feet) with the back seats down part of the way, though we’re not counting its front trunk capacity (5.3 cubic feet).
By contrast, Model 3 is a sedan featuring both front and back trunks. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said it would have “more cargo capacity than any gasoline car with the same external dimensions” and added you could fit a 7-foot surfboard in the back (presumably, without the nose stuffed between the front seats). If you want things out of sight, Model 3 has that feature while Bolt is limited.
2. Model 3 MSRP is $2,500 less
Musk casually announced Model 3 would start at $35,000 before incentives while GM was in the limelight following the Bolt reveal. Nearly 15 months later, Tesla made good on that promise, and exceeded the range benchmark by announcing “at least 215 miles” in the base Model 3. Bolt starts at $37,500 before available incentives. For now, Chevy is sticking with the 200-mile quote. Looking at the federal tax incentive count, Bolt drivers will have a much better shot at the $7,500 deduction.
3. SuperchaLonger-range electric cars serve to conquer the anxiety induced by a 76-mile Focus Electric or 83-mile Volkswagen e-Golf. It’s rare for daily drivers to exceed 100 miles in a commute, so you should be set in either the Bolt EV or Model 3 with a home charger. Taking longer road trips may complicate things. GM has been adamant about not providing fast-charging infrastructure, so drivers are on their own. Tesla is guaranteeing Model 3 drivers access to its Supercharger network, though the full terms (i.e., costs) have not been disclosed.
4. Model 3 is faster and features RWDrging vs. self-charging
Chevy quoted the 0-to-60 time of the Bolt EV at “less than seven seconds” earlier in 2016. The car will feature a respectable maximum 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. While these numbers topped most existing competition, Model 3 will outrun the Bolt when it lands in 2017. Musk said it will hit 60 miles per hour from a standstill in six seconds or less. Though we didn’t get a power quote, we know Model 3 will feature standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. This makes the transition easier for, say, Mercedes C-Class customers.
5. Bolt arrives much sooner
Last we checked, the Model 3 reservation count was over 275,000 and steadily rising. While that sounds great, we should point out the automaker plans to produce between 80,000 and 90,000 cars this year. By the end of 2017, it will be juggling three models. In other words, those outside the first 100,000 in line are looking at 2019 by our best guess. On the other hand, the Chevy Bolt EV will be available by the end of 2016 and has no waiting list numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
They are both coming from U.S. automakers, both hit (or best) the 200-mile mark, and both cost $37,500 or less. Beyond that, there are many differences worth noting as we wait for the first models to roll off their respective assembly lines. Here are five things to keep in mind about the first generation of long-range affordable EVs.
1. Hatchback vs. sedan
Call the Bolt a small station wagon or hatchback as you will; the bottom line is this car has no trunk. There is excellent storage space, however — 56 cubic feet with the back seats down, plus a false floor offering a little more room. That blows away a Nissan Leaf (30 cubic feet) and approaches the Model S cargo capacity (58.1 cubic feet) with the back seats down part of the way, though we’re not counting its front trunk capacity (5.3 cubic feet).
By contrast, Model 3 is a sedan featuring both front and back trunks. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said it would have “more cargo capacity than any gasoline car with the same external dimensions” and added you could fit a 7-foot surfboard in the back (presumably, without the nose stuffed between the front seats). If you want things out of sight, Model 3 has that feature while Bolt is limited.
2. Model 3 MSRP is $2,500 less
Musk casually announced Model 3 would start at $35,000 before incentives while GM was in the limelight following the Bolt reveal. Nearly 15 months later, Tesla made good on that promise, and exceeded the range benchmark by announcing “at least 215 miles” in the base Model 3. Bolt starts at $37,500 before available incentives. For now, Chevy is sticking with the 200-mile quote. Looking at the federal tax incentive count, Bolt drivers will have a much better shot at the $7,500 deduction.
3. SuperchaLonger-range electric cars serve to conquer the anxiety induced by a 76-mile Focus Electric or 83-mile Volkswagen e-Golf. It’s rare for daily drivers to exceed 100 miles in a commute, so you should be set in either the Bolt EV or Model 3 with a home charger. Taking longer road trips may complicate things. GM has been adamant about not providing fast-charging infrastructure, so drivers are on their own. Tesla is guaranteeing Model 3 drivers access to its Supercharger network, though the full terms (i.e., costs) have not been disclosed.
4. Model 3 is faster and features RWDrging vs. self-charging
Chevy quoted the 0-to-60 time of the Bolt EV at “less than seven seconds” earlier in 2016. The car will feature a respectable maximum 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels. While these numbers topped most existing competition, Model 3 will outrun the Bolt when it lands in 2017. Musk said it will hit 60 miles per hour from a standstill in six seconds or less. Though we didn’t get a power quote, we know Model 3 will feature standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. This makes the transition easier for, say, Mercedes C-Class customers.
5. Bolt arrives much sooner
Last we checked, the Model 3 reservation count was over 275,000 and steadily rising. While that sounds great, we should point out the automaker plans to produce between 80,000 and 90,000 cars this year. By the end of 2017, it will be juggling three models. In other words, those outside the first 100,000 in line are looking at 2019 by our best guess. On the other hand, the Chevy Bolt EV will be available by the end of 2016 and has no waiting list numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
jeez why would people wait that long for the Model III ( 
