A diorama-like image of a miniature billboard showing the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV, with two tiny human figures painting it, surrounded by Brussels sprouts.

2021-06-15 | New Roads Magazine

EV Myth Busting

Electric vehicles are fun to drive, easy to live with, and great for people in all walks of life. We bust some outdated myths about EVs.

All over America, more people are learning just how easy electric vehicles are to use and integrate into their daily lives. For everything from around-town errands to road trips, EVs are proving themselves capable and cost-effective. In fact, the number of all-electric vehicles sold in the U.S. has climbed every year since 2011, adding up to more than 240,000 by 2019.

With the shift to electric, it’s worth remembering how Chevrolet is helping lead the charge. In 2010, Chevy introduced the Volt, an EREV with a gas-powered, range-extending engine. That was followed by an all-electric vehicle, the Bolt EV, in 2016. In early 2021, Chevrolet introduced the updated 2022 Bolt EV and the larger 2022 Bolt EUV. General Motors has also announced an investment of $27 billion in EV and AV products through 2025, along with the launch of 30 new EVs globally by the end of 2025. With all of this change happening so fast, myths and misinformation about EV technology persist. Let’s collect some facts to set the record straight.

A diorama-like image of a 3D paper map with yellow pins stuck in it and two tiny human figures standing on one ridge.

Myth: There’s nowhere to charge

Fact: You can easily charge at home. Most 120-volt home outlets are capable of charging an electric vehicle overnight,^† using a Level 1 charging cord. Chevrolet recommends a professionally installed 240-volt charging unit, known to EV drivers as a Level 2 charger, as the best way to charge the Bolt EV. Chevrolet has partnered with Qmerit to connect Bolt EV owners with accredited home EV charging station installers across North America. When you’re not home, there are about 90,000 compatible public charging outlets in the U.S. and Canada, and GM is working with EVgo, the largest public fast charging network in the nation, to install even more public chargers across America over the next five years.

Myth: Charging an EV takes too long

Fact: Home charging is a game changer. On a Level 2, 240-volt charger, your Bolt EUV can grab up to 25 miles of range per hour^† while you sleep, binge your favorite show, or play with the kids. Don’t have a charger? No sweat. Our partners at Qmerit make adding one to your home a breeze. So, instead of thinking in terms of hours to refill an empty pack, think of home charging as something that happens while you live your normal life.

Myth: EVs don’t offer enough range

Fact: The vast majority of daily trips can easily be handled by an electric vehicle like the 2021 or 2022 Bolt EV, which have an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles on a full charge.^† For example, the distance driven by the average driver for any reason each day in the U.S. is about 29 miles. An EV also makes an excellent vehicle for getting to the job, since the average commuter only travels about 40 miles per day.

Myth: EVs can’t be used for road trips

Fact: They can. Depending on the destination and time targets, almost any trip is possible. There are any number of websites that can help new owners of electric vehicles plan their trip, and the myChevrolet Mobile App^† has features to help you adjust your route in real time to meet your energy needs. The app’s energy bubble tool will let you see your car’s current range on a map using the vehicle’s current information. The app can also show detailed information about charging locations, including pictures, hours of operation, availability, and when a charging station was last active. Finally, the myChevrolet Mobile App^† can set up a drive route based on the battery’s current state of charge and charging locations along the way. It will even let you open that route in your preferred map app.

Myth: EVs don’t work well in cold weather

Fact: Preheating your EV makes for a toasty drive and can save energy for range, but remember — whether they’re powered by gasoline or electricity, all vehicles are less efficient in the cold. The EPA says that when temperatures dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, cars with all kinds of powertrains — from gasoline to hybrids to fully electric vehicles — are less efficient in a mix of city and highway driving than they are at higher temperatures. The critical caveat is that much of the extra energy an EV needs in winter is used to heat the cabin. If you preheat the cabin before leaving, while the vehicle is still plugged into the charger, you can help extend the vehicle’s range for that trip.

Myth: EVs are expensive to own

Fact: The value of an electric vehicle isn’t always apparent by comparing its sticker price to that of a similar internal-combustion-engine vehicle. For example, when compared to a new, similarly sized gas-powered vehicle, a 2021 Bolt EV can save a driver as much as $5,000 in fuel costs over five years,^† the EPA estimates. That number changes based on how much someone pays for gasoline, their electricity costs, and how many miles they drive each year, but in any case, it’s a chunk of change. Plus, some utility providers allow customers to pay less for electricity at night, and Bolt EVs can be programmed to take advantage of these lower off-peak rates by only charging when most people are asleep. And the Bolt EV doesn’t use engine oil, so you can skip the costly oil changes.

MINIATURES ON SET
Here’s a sneak peek into how the miniatures photographed for this story were created. Watch as our broccoli trees sprout into a forest in front of the lens.

EV Academy: Test Your Knowledge

Before you unplug that charge cord and unleash electric torque out on the open highway, put your EV know-how to the test.

A cartoon-like illustration of a lake, hills, clouds and sun, with a person and a small brown and white dog standing next to a real-life 2022 Bolt EV in the Silver Flare Metallic color.

Chevrolet electric vehicles have a number of innovative features to help optimize your drive. Find out how much you know about EVs and learn how to get even more out of the Bolt EV or Bolt EUV when you take our interactive quiz.

STORY: SEBASTIAN BLANCO / PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIN SULLIVAN

Back to New Roads