Crunch Time: Tesla Model 3 Vs. Chevy Bolt

Credit: 'inamachineshop' Reddit user

White Model 3 release candidate.

Here's a quick back-of-the-envelope comparison for the two highest-profile, mass-market, long-range EVs.

It's crunch time for both vehicles. Tesla needs to prove that it can crank out tens of thousands of high-quality Model 3s while Chevy has to prove that it can survive the Model 3 tsunami.

Both the Model 3 and Bolt fix two of the biggest obstacles for EV buyers: price and range:

The Model 3 starts at $35,000 (though buyers are expected to opt for add-ons that kick up the price into the $40,000-plus range).

The Bolt is listed at about $37,500 but in Southern California (where I live) dealers are offering big discounts and, in some cases, throwing in $500 "certs" on top of that (what GM calls Instant Value Certificates.) In addition to the federal incentives, California will cut you a check for $2,500 if you buy or lease the Bolt, though you're put on a waiting list now.

The price combined with the 200-plus-mile range makes both almost irresistible for prospective EV buyers sitting on the fence.

The vehicles address two different consumers: the Model 3 is a sporty sedan while the Bolt is marketed as a more practical crossover/hatchback.

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Tesla Model 3 Vs. Chevy Bolt
Car	Range	Charging	Autonomous driving	Buying Experience	Safety	Performance	Pass./Cargo Space	Availability	Price
Model 3	215 miles	Tesla's vast Supercharging network	Necessary hardware	Good	IIHS Top Safety Pick (1)	Zero to 60 mph under 6 seconds	N/A (2)	2018 (in volume)	$35,000
Bolt	238 miles	Spotty DC fast-charging stations (3)	Not available currently	Fair (4)	N/A	Zero to 60 in less than 6.5 seconds / top speed 91 mph	95 cubic feet / 17 cubic feet	Now	$37,495 but hefty discounts

(1) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

(2) Reports say seating for 4 adults, 14 cubic feet front and rear trunk cargo volume

(3) In Los Angeles (where I live) and surrounding areas, DC fast-charging from vendors like EVgo is a mixed bag: the fast-charge experience is smooth and pretty much works as advertised but fast-charging stations can be few and far between -- even in greater Los Angeles. And note that Chevy says "up to 90 miles of range in about 30 minutes of charge" for DC fast charge but real-world charging can be slower. Bottom line is, the Chevy Bolt-compatible fast charge network pales in comparison to the reach and convenience of Tesla's Supercharging network. The countervailing argument is that most Chevy Bolt owners will charge at home.

(4) Fair to bad: I've experienced never-say-die high-pressure sales tactics for the Bolt. And most of the Chevy sales people (I've met) are woefully unschooled in EVs.