The Chevrolet Bolt has solidified its position as the most budget-friendly electric vehicle in the United States. This latest iteration brings significant improvements over its predecessor, including enhanced software with Google Built-in increased driving range thanks to a larger battery, and faster charging speeds. However, a critical question remains: what happens when this electric vehicle’s battery is drained to 0%?
The YouTube channel Out Of Spec Testing conducted an experiment to answer this question, providing valuable insights into the Bolt’s battery behavior. The test focused on the vehicle’s 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery which offers an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles (approximately 422 km). One of the most notable improvements is the charging speed, with the Bolt now taking just 25 minutes to go from 10% to 80% charge, a significant reduction from the approximately one hour required by its predecessor.
Testing the Bolt’s Battery Limits
The test began with the Bolt having about 5% state of charge remaining. The goal was to determine how far the vehicle could travel before the drive unit lost power. Many automakers include a small buffer below the 0% reading to prevent drivers from being stranded, allowing them to reach the nearest charging station. This concept is similar to the reserve fuel in traditional gasoline-powered cars when the fuel gauge enters the red zone.
For context, other electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 (single-motor versions) have about 20 miles (32 km) of hidden range below 0%, while the new Nissan Leaf offers approximately 10 miles (16 km) of reserve energy. However, the Chevrolet Bolt’s performance differed significantly. When the battery reached 1% state of charge the vehicle completely lost power and came to a halt, indicating no hidden reserve energy.
General Motors’ Approach to Battery Reserves
This lack of a hidden battery reserve is not unique to the Bolt. According to Out Of Spec Testing, other General Motors electric vehicles, such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ and the Chevy Equinox EV also lose power at 1% state of charge without any reserve energy. While this might seem like a drawback, it is not necessarily a negative aspect. Most automakers recommend keeping the battery charge between 10% and 80% to preserve long-term battery health. Therefore, drivers are unlikely to deplete the battery completely during regular use.
Chevrolet actually advises regularly charging the Bolt to 100% to maintain accurate range and state-of-charge readings. The LFP battery chemistry used in the Bolt is less prone to degradation from regular full charges compared to traditional nickel-based batteries. This means that topping off the Bolt overnight at home can provide approximately 90% of usable capacity or about 230 miles of range the next day. The absence of a bottom buffer does not reduce the available range; instead, it ensures that the capacity is fully utilized.
