After five years and an impressive 113,000 miles, I recently traded in my trusty 2019 Bolt EV LT. The temptation of new rebates and a low-mileage 2020 model proved too strong to resist. Having acquired my 2019 Chevrolet Bolt brand new in March of 2019, this electric vehicle (EV) has been a constant companion for half a decade. Initially envisioned as a practical commuter and local runabout, the 2019 Chevy Bolt quickly proved to be far more versatile than anticipated. With a little planning and a flexible mindset, it became clear that this EV could handle almost any journey I threw at it, including notable road trips from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC, and even cross-country to Laramie, WY. In fact, the number of trips I didn’t take in the Bolt over these years were few and far between, testament to its surprising capability.
One of the most compelling aspects of owning the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt was its remarkably low running costs. The initial purchase price in 2019, factoring in rebates, taxes, and all associated fees, came to a very reasonable $22,500. Over 113,000 miles, maintenance expenses were minimal. I replaced two sets of tires, each lasting approximately 45,000 miles, with replacements costing around $1,000 per set. An unfortunate encounter with a stray rock necessitated a windshield replacement at $400. A front-end alignment, after navigating some rough terrain in the Tetons, set me back $80, and a single tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor replacement cost $65, mostly labor charges. Beyond these items, the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt required absolutely no other repairs in all those miles.
Fueling, or rather, charging costs, remained exceptionally low, even in California’s expensive energy market. Access to free workplace charging was a significant perk, although my current commute is now a substantial 80-mile round trip, reducing my reliance on this. Furthermore, my home solar panel system, fortunately under an older Net Electric Metering agreement, effectively made home charging virtually free. Averaging around 1,800 miles per month, I estimate that at least 80% of my charging has been covered by these free sources. Even accounting for occasional public charging at Electrify America (EA) stations, with current prices around $0.50/kWh, the overall charging expenses remained minimal.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive ownership experience, there were a few minor, unrepaired issues that surfaced with the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt over time:
- The infotainment system would occasionally crash, requiring a hard reboot, roughly every couple of weeks. No permanent solution was ever identified for this glitch.
- Fast charging at newer, high-speed stations (100kW+ from EA and EvGo) sometimes required a manual workaround. To initiate charging, I had to physically hold down the silver latching pin, often using a chopstick for convenience.
- The iBooster clicking noise became progressively more noticeable over time. I had scheduled an appointment to address this, receiving a repair quote of $180, but never actually made it in for the service.
- One of the brake calipers appeared to occasionally stick, likely a consequence of the regenerative braking system minimizing the use of the mechanical brakes.
However, my primary criticisms of the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt are limited to two common EV drawbacks:
- Slow DC fast charging speeds. While the battery recall replacement improved the charging curve somewhat, eliminating the abrupt taper, charging speeds, particularly above 60% battery capacity, remain frustratingly slow.
- Suboptimal cold and cool weather performance. The combination of reduced fast charging speeds when the battery temperature is below 70°F and the inefficient cabin heater (lacking a heat pump) noticeably impacted range and convenience during winter travel, even in relatively mild California winters.
Ultimately, my positive experience with the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt far outweighed these minor shortcomings. So much so, in fact, that I opted to replace it with a very similar 2020 LT model, boasting just 25,000 miles. While this newer Bolt currently has a reduced battery capacity due to the ongoing recall process, it is slated to receive a full capacity battery replacement within 6,000 miles, or hopefully sooner. This battery warranty provides peace of mind for at least another four years of affordable and dependable electric driving.
