Chevy Bolt EV Hoist Review with Kevin and Jordan

[@Equatis]

As an average Joe that works as a registered nurse and travels a lot the bolt has been an amazing vehicle. We're coming up on 80,000 miles and have had little to no problems with it. It's super quiet, very peppy, and fits me my wife and two children just fine. Even though the fast charger sucks it allows you to go on longer distance road trips and a pinch. Thankfully everyone was hating on the bolt when the battery recall issues started and my out the door price for a used 2017 premiere was $16,500.

[@aurelio-reymilaorcabal9669]

You got a steal!

[@jamesengland7461]

"an average Joe" I like your sense of humor, Joe!

[@DavidHalko]

That was a great deal!!! 👍🏼

[@gene4390]

I got my 2017 Bolt Premier with 35k miles for $16k out the door. Best car I ever owned. Love it!

[@darylclifford]

@@jamesengland7461 Well spotted james !! do you happen to live in England by any chance?

[@timshort9692]

Sandy, you're doing an incredible job on succession planning for your company. The 'younger' folks you're giving air-time to are superb. I'm feeling very comfortable for our future. Again, well done to the whole team down there! Tim (Toronto, Canada)

[@jbarvideo12]

Kevin and Jordan did a great analysis of the Chevy Bolt hoist review.

[@MunroLive]

Thanks Jay

[@steven4315]

This is the affordable EV that the EV haters pretend doesn't exist. My Bolt has been trouble free except for the LG recall. GM deserves credit for selling an EV that people can afford.

[@DavidHalko]

Auto magazines always seem to ignore American 🇺🇸 cars with hybrid & ev technology… I remember when there was practically an embargo on the Ford Escape Hybrid & Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid - the auto review industry just said they were not going to review it and did not give a good reason. I was in the market for a car back then, both features were pretty high on my list, for a crossover/suv type vehicle, and few car companies had such a beast

[@Dumbledore6969x]

It’s been trouble free except for the exploding cars part? Wow cool

[@steven4315]

@@Dumbledore6969x I get it. Lots of people hate GM. Lots of people hate EVs. Gm deserves credit for making an affordable EV that people can afford. LG made some bad batteries and paid to replace them.These are good cars.

[@jimv1983]

But at the price they must have had to sacrifice the quality of parts. This video goes more into the frame and position of some components but not really the quality and reliability of those components. The one thing they did mention is the cheap suspension. Affordability isn't just the initial sale price. It has to factor in the cost of repairs and how long the car is going to last. Someone in the market for a new economical car would be better off not getting an EV and instead getting something like a Corolla if affordability is really their main goal. I'd be surprised if a significant number of Bolt owners get to even 100,000 miles without needing any repairs.

[@steven4315]

@@jimv1983 Mine is still trouble free. You can check out the Bolts owners forum if you want. About the suspension, It is a low cost design, but the question should be, does it hold up? Haven't seen anything on the owners forum. Keep in mind the battery and drive train are covered for 8yrs/100,000 miles. Bolts have been around since 2016 and some have racked up a lot of miles.

[@fred993a]

Kevin and Jordan - thank you for and excellent engineering analysis.

[@MunroLive]

Thanks for watching!

[@normt430]

"When I finally parked it(Bolt) at my home charging station, it had gone 322 miles on a single charge. Not bad for a car rated at 238 miles per charge. Even more impressive was the fact that I didn't really try very hard to get that many miles out of it. I spent plenty of time in traffic, which helped, but there were a few sections that I was moving along at 65-70 mph as well. No matter how you look at it, 322 miles out of a Bolt is pretty impressive." - Ed Hellwig Edmund's

[@Rich1Rodriguez]

103,000 miles on my 2017 Bolt EV - zero problems. Installed new shocks all around, for the free battery replacement that gave me 10% more battery capacity. Happy camper. Charge on!

[@danapeck5382]

Thanks, great education on design tradeoffs. Also appreciate your taking the time to define acronyms, sure helps.

[@cwantuch]

Thanks!

[@MunroLive]

Thank You!

[@Goldsilver]

Good job, GEOTA...Go Easy On The Acronyms

[@LV4TD101]

7:08 I'm a machinist by trade and I have had to machine many castings over the years, and they rarely have a straight square edge you can use to hold on to and work from. So you will usually need to either first square up two edges, or machine a less important feature to "true it up" so you can put it in a vise or fixture to locate it properly and then start to machine in the important more accurate features that really count. I don't know if that is why those features were machined in (which would seem like a waste of time) but to me actually makes sense.

[@bradcomis1066]

In a production environment though you can have a bespoke fixture to hold that cast part square to your machine, no?

[@LV4TD101]

@@bradcomis1066 Its really dependent on the shape of the casting and the quality. And I will admit the quality of casting have improved so much over the last few decades it does make the machining a lot easier and faster

[@w0nd3rlu573r]

Is this motor even made by GM? Or they are ordering from someone?

[@RobbieFitzgerald]

I wonder if it was done to try and reduce weight.

[@steamtorch]

I can say my 2017 with 51,000 miles is still tight as a drum and looking good, even exposed to Michigan winters. I do it the favor of running through a car wash weekly in salt season. The tech may be dated and uninspiring but it's dependable. But then I just described a Toyota, LOL.

[@brucec954]

Except the Toyota BEV has its wheels falling off for some unknown reason.

[@useaol]

@@brucec954 i mean, theres also the electric rav4 that was built in small numbers? If i remember, they sourced the electrics from tesla

[@phillyphil1513]

re: "The tech may be dated and uninspiring". okay but "dated" relative to what...? BEV or ICE...? once viewed using the proper "perspective" and using the proper "context" the understanding becomes clear. for even if you use other modern BEV's as a reference, I contend the Bolt actually does a BETTER JOB in the current market REALITY at avoiding high gas prices (ie, "pain at the pump") than a fancy $180,000 dollar Porsche Taycan does even with it's 800V architecture...? I mean one doesn't have to be a "Math wiz" to calculate how paying an extra $150 grand (over a Bolt) also buys a driver a whole lot of gas even at $5 and $6 dollars per gallon. people driving past local fuel pumps in Bolts look very "inspired" and surprisingly relaxed. LOL. now if fighting Climate Change is the goal...? (and let's assume I believe you when you say this) then one is either doing that...? or they're not...? this means labeling a vehicle as being "dated" or "uninspiring" has jack sh!t to do with the "current narrative" of why one buys a BEV in the first place, and that one is LYING about their real motivations.

[@chrisbailey5055]

Jordan has a busted hand, and Kevin has a black eye....what did we miss?!!!??!?

[@MunroLive]

🥊

[@charllectric4842]

Lmao hilarious!

[@bjwood2821]

The first rule of fight club is that you don’t talk about fight club…

[@fincarosa]

Some of the cars they were tearing down fought back

[@MR1Majed]

That’s what get when you say to Sandy, let me finish my lunch

[@danneil8778]

Thanks, gentlemen.

[@kevinmatthews2620]

great presentation from Kevin & Jordan, lots of interesting points shown :) :)

[@MunroLive]

Thanks so much!

[@DogFaceMaker]

This is one of the best reviews so far. I really like the conversation about why things are done that way.

[@spuddy4063]

Wow another honest review from the Munro team. Good work guy's...

[@richardnedbalek1968]

Two of my fave hosts! Jordan and Kevin, thanks for this more in-depth review of the Bolt’s underside. Informative and enjoyable! 😁

[@MunroLive]

Thanks

[@sandyt4343]

This was an outstanding review and your coverage of different aspects of the design and the likely thought behind them , leave me with a greater understanding than I had expected. You guys just keep getting better. Some closer camera shots would always be welcome when possible, but this is also improving by leaps and bounds. Thanks for your wonderful work

[@ricknplano1401]

Mutt & Jeff work well together. Great job. Love this team.

[@erwin-franz]

Your excitement shows and what you’re sharing with us is super interesting. Your approach and content are so enjoyable, my love for cars only grows, I love your work :)

[@altonriggs2352]

Great presentation. Thanks guys.

[@jasonhunt007]

These guys know their shit! Very good video. The Chevy Bolt has to earn back the trust of future owners after the recall earlier of this model.

[@Weezedog]

“A lot of OEMs make a concerted effort…to protect cabling….from crash related thermal events” Unregulated thermal events are a feature of the Bolt! I kid, I kid! From a price/value ratio, the Bolt is the best EV on the market with the price reductions for MY2023 and will be even better with reinstatement of the EV tax credit.

[@davidbeppler3032]

A tax credit they are not qualified for?

[@petersilva037]

@@davidbeppler3032 in january... it comes back...

[@Weezedog]

@@davidbeppler3032 They will qualify, certainly for the first year 2023, and the the battery requirements in the bill will be adjusted because no EV would qualify given China dominates the Lithium market. Waivers will be issued etc. It’s typical government bureaucracy.

[@nortoncomando1975]

That ' Orange cabling' is protected with fuses inside the pack. No thermal event.

[@airheart1]

@@Weezedog I'm pretty sure the bill just wants the battery pack built in the US.. not necessarily the cells of the batteries. Though cell production is growing in the US rapidly. It could be the bill is pushing for more of that. Not sure exactly what the new stipulations are to qualify since it's a massive bill and I haven't seen anyone really get into the weeds on what it says about everything

[@ericcindycrowder7482]

Interesting video. Our 2017 Bolt EV with premium trim does have the cooling lines on the bottom of the motor unit.

[@MrBadgas]

Great job guys. Very informative and well presented.

[@MunroLive]

Much appreciated!

[@paulhortonatcoxnet]

Nicely done!

[@scottxiong5844]

Awesome review and analysis! We need more of these for the budget American families.

[@jamesengland7461]

Americans have been demonstrating for years that they don't want this car, which, by the way is being discontinued.

[@DavidHalko]

@@jamesengland7461 - lower profit cars have been getting discontinued, basically leaving that market to Kia

[@jamesengland7461]

@@DavidHalko lower profit- margin, inexpensive cars must be sold in large number or they actually lose money for the company. Bolt sales are awful.

[@DavidHalko]

@@jamesengland7461 - “Bolt sales are terrible” Too expensive. Not enough batteries 🪫 to produce more. You have to have enough components be able to produce enough cars 🚗 to have good sales. “inexpensive cars must be sold in large numbers or they actually lose money” Inexpensive cars lose money 💰, even when produced in large numbers: Inexpensive cars 🚘 were used to attract young buyers so they would buy expensive cars 🚗 from the same manufacturer, later. A Yugo would not need many batteries 🔋, especially without the electronics. We have golf cars 🚙 & scooters everywhere- no reason for government regulations to require so much cost today. I had a 40mph 4 door sedan 🚘 car in the early 90’s, virtually no electronics, reliable.

[@jamesengland7461]

@@DavidHalko Bolt sales were terrible before the supply chain broke, when other EVs are selling like hotcakes. Cars like Corollas and Civics have been profitable for half a century, though GM has always done poorly with small cars.

[@thelast1900]

The bolt euv uses the bottom motor cooling. It has a cover and fluid lines.

[@kens97sto171]

I wonder if the older Bolt EV also did? The new EUV is a bit heavier.. Maybe they were worried about thermal load as a result. Weber Automotive has a great teardown of a older Bolt EV.. battery disassembly and powertrain and cooling. May have to go back and look and see if the cooling assembly is present on the older ones. I live in a Hot climate area... could be a concern. Or maybe its for heat scavenging in the EUV and in the EV they just use a PTC heater and keep it simple.

[@thelast1900]

@@kens97sto171 it is in the same loop as the electronic systems cooling using the front radiator.

[@kens97sto171]

@@thelast1900 I don't think the bolt EV has an actual glycol radiator up front. If I remember correctly the only heat exchanger up front is the AC condenser. I believe the glycol loop goes through an AC to glycol heat exchanger. I'm only commenting that I wonder if the original bolt actually utilized that lower cooling area on the motor? I don't remember from Weber automotives videos. Regardless all of the glycol including battery cooling and motor and electronic cooling I believe go through that glycol to AC heat exchanger. Then all heat is dissipated through the condenser at the front of the car. Many EVs do it this way. Eliminates a lot of liquid glycol in a large radiator. Quite heavy, and the heat coming off of either battery or electric motor and electronics are not really that hot. Not like a combustion engine. I'll have to go back and rewatch Weber automotive videos to see if I can notice whether or not that lower casting is empty or whether they actually put the glycol loop in there or left it blank.

[@ramblerandy2397]

Kevin and Jordan do work well together on camera. That was extremely interesting. I was wondering on their references to... a few of the guys here are interested [paraphrase]... that the Kia Niro or Hyundai Kona in all-electric Mark I or II might be just as good an option. Then again, the Munro staff may not think them as well engineered. Sandy himself considered the Mk I Niro as a little 1990's in it's construction tech.

[@alsmith358]

It'd be interesting to know what, if any, changes there are between this '22 Bolt from the first Bolt you torn down.

[@wtmayhew]

You nailed what I was going to gripe about: stamped steel bushing cups. Castings aren’t much more expensive. Bean counting.

[@MrFoxRobert]

Thank you!

[@MunroLive]

You're welcome!

[@ewhite5291]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts

[@MunroLive]

My pleasure!

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗THANKS KEVIN AND JORDAN…FOR GIVING US A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS 🧐 …AND GIVING SANDY AN OUT 😁👍 THANKS ERIC FOR DOING A GREAT JOB AND THE NEW LIGHTING IS A GREAT 👍 ADDITION AND OF COURSE…THANKS FOR ALL THE MUNRO TEAM AND YOUR PATRONS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE 👍💚💚💚

[@tobias..6688]

We can read! You don’t need to “scream” in the comments

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

@@tobias..6688 some things need to be emphatic 😁💚💚💚

[@waynelutz4864]

These guys are very good! Keep it coming!👍🚐👍🇺🇸

[@MunroLive]

Will do!

[@calholli]

I agree with what he said about leaving that unused cooling section as "cast, and skip the machining: from a manufacturers perspective. But from a Buyers perspective, I actually like that it has been fully finished-- because it's now easier to upgrade cooling if you wanted to-- and also as a "kit" motor on project vehicles that people may dream up-- it's there for easy cooling expansion.

[@joeennis2571]

love the presentation . it might be interesting if you could quote the different crash test ratings for the cars you are showing in this type of presentation .

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

This was really interesting and informative...thanks for posting!

[@MunroLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sirousmohseni4]

Thanks for the details.

[@MC-bm3cy]

Quality, from a T&E guy, is looking really good for the material presented.

[@Heckofadeal]

Great job !!

[@MunroLive]

Thank you!

[@stevedowler2366]

Thanks guys, that is a very interesting detailed look at the body and frame and the crash mitigation efforts on the Bolt. I'm not a mechanical engineer but computer software is my career background so I like to see the level of detail you have presented. Looking forward to more of these including the Model Y, hopefully both from the Fremont plant and GigaAustin. Cheers and drive safely.

[@justin4942]

I wish you guys got the Bolt EUV. I’d like to hear the thoughts on that since it’s a little bigger and that it’s only an additional $2k

[@silverlover5817]

🏅Thank you very much Kevin and Jordan for this thorough review. ✨Please Please Please make a similar review for the Mini Cooper EV.

[@kschleic9053]

Wrt the unused but machined cooling features on the bottom of the bolt motor... If the machining only costs 40c, is it possible the logistics costs of stocking multiple variant motors is more than 40c per piece? I could see just the savings in halving the number of motors repair facilities need to keep on hand being pretty significant 😂 EDIT: you answered my question a minute further in the video.

[@andrewholdaway813]

Also maybe they're just using existing stock of engines, later production may be as cast.

[@DavidHalko]

I was thinking 💭 If they could use the same component across multiple generations of vehicle 🚗, that would be a huge cost benefit!

[@snower13]

Also, in a company with a lot of process and controls, it could literally cost tens of thousands of dollars to make an engineering change of any kind. Tangent here: I love buying $5 items through my company’s procurement system-I feel so compliant and efficient. Ironically, the controls are legally required to avoid abuse because it’s taxpayer funded. I guess the labor overhead to avoid abuse acts as an economic stimulus so it’s not a total waste of money.

[@arthurmoore9488]

​@@snower13 There's nothing quite like multiple hour+ meetings just to figure out how to get the government to reimburse a single $15 part. Never mind that everyone in that meeting makes at least double that hourly!

[@CausticLemons7]

Your review have got me looking at new Bolts...

[@dbedford1000]

Another great video, well done guys.

[@CHIEF_420]

🎓

[@wtmayhew]

Nice analysis. GM apparently did clever engineering to eliminate electric compressor NVH. Inside the car, you can’t hear it running. I believe the compressor is variable speed.

[@jrharbortproductions]

Can vouch, I never hear the compressor noise over the other sounds of the vehicle.

[@moniack]

You sure can hear it from outside on a hot day, but like you said, not inside.

[@wtmayhew]

@@moniack Yes, audible outside. Overall the Bolt is a fairly quiet car and HNV is well controlled. The most prominent thing I’ve noticed is I can hear some wires rattle somewhere in the doors between 40 snd 50 degrees F. when driving over brick pavement. I believe it might be the wiring for the power mirrors. There aren’t any squeaks or noises in the instrument panel or seats as far as I can tell.

[@MrNollemans]

Now I have some suggestions, for the Bolt EV in particular. There is a hidden upgrade DIY. There are people rerouting the thermal loop and sending some warmth from the drive train to the HV battery, to observe in the Torque Pro, that the cell temperature is not hitting too high, at least less than 35C, but better some lower. It is that for those who were to obtain a Bolt and are really keen to see their winter range degration less dropping down. It's a gift from the GM engineers to leave that hidden part left there still open, you will need to find someone to machine it or order thermal loop spare parts from the 2017 Bolt.

[@MrNollemans]

There is another DIY upgrade. Reduce the unsprung weight, by changing to another tire/rim assembly. With another ET, transversal offset, you might go to 15 inch rim from steel. In the right setting, it will improve drag resistance. It will not touch the brake caliper. It will increase comfort. I managed to get 310 miles out of it at 55 mph road trip, on a single charge, Going down from SoC 100% to 6%. The Chevy Bolt isn't appealing? The Chevy Bolt, is strapped with the most energy-efficient engine on the market. The Chevy Bolt, is solid like a rock. The Chevy Bolt, doesn't need roads, it needs you. It needs you that clever and handy hard-working Joe, and than afterward it will find so many new roads, as no one did never before 🙂. ♥ The engineers from GM were doing Great Motoring, as they had done it before. ♥ Like a rock.

[@stevegorkowski3246]

Thanks for letting me look under the car. I am a bit disappointed in the review. I wish they took the tires off so I could look at the brakes. Give shots of the brake lines and what they are made of and how they will be guarded from salt. How much of the layering part over part if parts need to be replaced. Are fluids easy to replace? How cheap are door hinges. All of this affects how long the car will last and how much standard repairs will cost and how often. I find myself jumping around in the video to find most of the answers.

[@amazoidal]

Youcanic just posted a new video on Bolt brakes. (10/09/24).

[@lordinquis8r679]

So, last night, I’m charging at the Supercharger at the Pilot on I-17 at Mayer AZ around nine pm. Here comes a flatbed tow truck with a brand spanking new Chevy Bolt 2LT, white in color. Very pretty. The TT driver proceeds to spend a half hour trying to shake and slide the car off the end of the tilted platform,the Bolt obviously locked into park, Using what looked like washer fluid to grease the not turning wheels. Curiosity finally got the better of me and I walked over to get the story from the driver. Sure enough, the owner had run out of juice by miscalculating the 4k foot climb out of Phoenix and abandoned the car on the shoulder of the road, taking the key fob. It took the TT driver 30 minutes to find the car in the dark and then had to drag it, wheels locked, onto the truck. The owner, meanwhile, was having all of his (or her) calls screened through a secretary who had no access to the owner. As we all know, you can’t charge a Bolt at a Tesla Supercharger, so you can probably see that car at Mayer for the next couple of days.

[@D3moknight]

I wonder if it's really cheaper to run all BEV motor casings through the machining process vs changeover the line to skip the machining for the unused coolant chamber and ports.

[@beyerch]

Perhaps those motors are existing inventory, hence why the machining is there? If not, assume it is to reduce part #'s as they probably need cooling in other applications.

[@NeilBlanchard]

Unless you're taller than 6'-6" Kevin, you should fit fairly well in the Bolt EV.

[@rtz549]

The 2023 Bolt EV is priced pretty nice.

[@rtz549]

$25,600 and in production now. Just figure out how to get the dealer to not charge an extra $5,000 for "market adjustment". It's already insulting paying full sticker.

[@puffpio]

The non flat battery pack floor (it has all those reliefs in it) is probably bad for underbody aero. Is there an aero shield on the pack normally?

[@phillyphil1513]

A: no. though it does highways just fine, the Bolt is mostly a city car with a CoD of like .30 and is speed limited to 93 mph. but yet with all this, it still gets a decent 250 mile range rating.

[@bob15479]

The Transit EV also has stamped steel up and down the side of the battery pack.

[@trenier23]

I own a Bolt EUV and I'm a little concerned about contact between dissimilar metals. I'm in Wisconsin and there is plenty of snow, hence salt witch could cause problems in the long run. Do they isolate the connection between steel and aluminum?

[@dr.projectx5142]

So can I add a bigger box in the trunk for storing a spare tire or dropping my subwoofer into that area. In my 2017 bolt ev?? That would be neat.

[@unionse7en]

cool, but we need to know more about the A-frame storage carts!

[@nortoncomando1975]

The "Pinch concerns" with the 400VDC orange wires, (both coolant heaters and the main connector at the pack) are all internally protected with fuses. That's part of the power distribution/contactor module in the pack.

[@celeron55]

The contactors most certainly are opened right away when the car detects a collision.

[@wtmayhew]

Speaking of contactors: my Bolt experienced a positive side welded shut on the contactor a few months after the HV battery was replaced. The contractor module in the battery was replaced and firmware updated under warranty even though my Bolt is 2017. The repair required the battery to be smoke checked for leaks. I’m wondering if LG Chem is recycling used parts when they are producing the recall batteries? If so, may have gotten a contractor which already had a 150,000 miles on it. I received a text message from OnStar stating the battery “should be serviced within seven days.” My scan tool gave the detail that the positive side of the contractor had welded shut.

[@wtmayhew]

I believe there may be ballistic disconnects on some of the electrics too. If 12 Volts goes away, the HV contractor should open immediately.

[@chrisstavro4698]

How does the Bolt compare with the GM EV1?

[@kevinsmith7823]

Hi guys at Munro live . Fantastic dod I just say that out loud fantastic camera 🎥 work by think josh. The quality of in-depth details and the camera lighting is just on par with your details. Fab guys really really nice you took some advice from me . Well you certainly have got a 10 out of ten from me . . When showing all the geeky people out on the net and showing all the nicks n cranny’s the lighting is everything ✌🏾🙌🏾👍🏽✅🥇💕😎🤓 Top of the class

[@epac2816]

"You did it Marry, you lead the entire EV revolution!"

[@OrganicStuff1]

The car looks really nice from down under

[@phillyphil1513]

right then, tell all me mates in Australia I said "good day".

[@patrickgroeneveld2340]

Interesting: did they completely eliminate the front motor cooling, or is it cooled in a different way?

[@WoodlawnSound]

Air, I assume!

[@jrharbortproductions]

From the look under the hood of some 2022 Bolts, they still have liquid cooling, it just seems they relocated the module (design improvement) or reduced the motor cooling capacity (efficiency improvement).

[@patrickgroeneveld2340]

@@jrharbortproductions The cooling of the motor was connected to the cooling of the inverter and the charger. It seems the latter two still exist. But it does seem that the motor cooling is deleted.

[@jrharbortproductions]

@@patrickgroeneveld2340 That's a good thing if they combined cooling into fewer parts, thanks!

[@phillyphil1513]

no major changes, same design, same output, same input, same thermal loads, same excellent range figures.

[@cashewABCD]

Single Take. Impressive talk

[@tarassu]

Orange cables should not be extra protected for crashes. There are fuses in case of any HV line shorts out.

[@jamesengland7461]

should not???

[@JeffKubel]

It seems like this car would be a heck of a lot easier to work on then say a Model 3.

[@jrharbortproductions]

After careful calculations and decision making, I went for the 2020 Bolt EV over the 35k Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, because I knew maintenance on the Bolt would be even less. The tires last 2~3x longer and cost half as much for a set, just as an example! Got the LT trim fully loaded on all options for 29.5k after rebates and incentives. Sadly it no longer qualified for the federal incentive, but I still found it to be well worth it.

[@kens97sto171]

I agree.. Need a new Inverter someday.. right on top.. couple bolts and connectors.. and you could fix it in your driveway. Weber Automotive has a great teardown series on the Bolt.. Both Battery pack and powertrain and cooling systems. Pretty cool videos if you like mechanical stuff. Weber is an Automotive Technical college. So they are training videos.. THey have videos on other cars too.. Prius's, Honda Hybrids, Ford..etc. And some Tesla stuff too,

[@timber8403]

I don’t think you can get a standard range Tesla for 35k

[@kens97sto171]

@@timber8403 Not currently... But there is talk that they might reduce price on a specific model to allow it to qualify. Who knows. Though.

[@jrharbortproductions]

@@timber8403 You could in 2020.

[@dougk5456]

Great job guys. I noticed that there are many pockets in the bottom of the battery pack. I would think you would want this to be as smooth as possible both for noise and resistance. Was there a cover that was removed?

[@DavidHalko]

They spoke about a cover they pulled off, the cover was not really structural. I noticed the way they did the crosshatch in the steel, it looked like it was all for rigidity!

[@phillyphil1513]

no cover over the battery pack itself. the cover/shroud is only up at the front over top (underneath) the drive unit and HV connectors at the front of the battery pack, the rest of the pack all the way to the rear is exposed. unlike some EV's where the case is aluminum for weight savings (ref Kona ref Ioniq5) the Bolts case is all steel for crash strength, impact and torsional resistance with the primary goal being to PROTECT THAT BATTERY. as with all skateboard platforms (which is what the BEV2 is) having extra weight down low as we all know in the form of steel is less of an issue since the Lion battery themselves are already 2x-3x heavier than that.

[@brucewrandol]

Question the front impact. With a ICE it usually can be reused. Is this scenario the same when a front drive motor is impacted?

[@creativemaplewoodworks4640]

I’m definitely a car enthusiast but not an engineer. This video was pretty heavy on the acronyms and manufacturing shorthand.

[@bsiix1576]

Do you need shields covering high voltage components if there is a fuse closer to the source?

[@grizzlymartin1]

In future EV videos it would be GREAT if you could always include touching on the battery exchange/replacement engineering/design. Actually quickly demonstrate in some fashion how they come out and go back in. Thanks.

[@Davran2742]

Hey guys. Could you look under a EUV Bolt to see if it still has the drive-motor cooling system? I've read that it does, but am having difficulty proving it. Thanks.

[@rennerraimundo820]

Sandy have you looked at BYD and their new blade batteries technology??? It will be used in the Model Y instead of it's structure battery pack exclusive at Giga Berlin!

[@nononsenseBennett]

I agree that the pinch point of the electrical connections is an issue and is a calculated risk by designers. Not the best design. Could be a Pinto-safety issue in the future?

[@davidsuzukiispolpot]

At least there is no gasoline to ignite. It may be fused in a way that won't cause a thermal event.

[@williammeek4078]

It would be a hell of an impact though.

[@ouch1011]

As soon as the airbags are triggered on basically any EV, the high voltage system is immediately shut down, so all of those orange cables will have no power on them.

[@nononsenseBennett]

@@ouch1011 Oh! Good idea. Thanks for the info.

[@jacoja06]

Great video overview. I’m a bit disappointed in the design… rear suspension isn’t even independent.

[@davidbeppler3032]

Gotta cut costs everywhere!

[@ouch1011]

Torsion beam suspension is considered to be semi-independent. It’s hard to visualize, but between the built in twisting of the beam and how the suspension actually moves, it’s not as bad as it seems. Better that something like a live or straight axle. When driving the car, you don’t even notice the difference.

[@phillyphil1513]

re: "I’m a bit disappointed in the design… rear suspension isn’t even independent" no worries, many of Euro hot hatches everybody loves are built with rear twist beams. fully independent is obviously the best (for a price) but twist beams actually ride/work better than they would appear to at first glance.

[@phillyphil1513]

@@AudiTTQuattro2003 re: "the linked torsion member is just a combination of structure for positioning and anti roll of the rear wheels." bingo, if/when you examine it closely, a twist beam rear suspension in it's basic form is nothing more than a GIANT ANTI-ROLL BAR (with wheels attached directly to the bar). yeah look at it, what's happening is right there in front of our faces.

[@martinwright7367]

It's more than good enough for this type of vehicle, probably a very nice sub assembly to bolt into the car in one operation. We have a choice of expensive EV's the mass market needs this everyday car asap both new and on the used market

[@peterpauly2527]

Looking from underneath it looks like there would have been plenty of room for an optional spare tire in the trunk if they had designed the trunk to take advantage of the space.

[@martshearer498]

Or to have design this as a RWD, which would improve things IMHO.

[@phillyphil1513]

"NO COSTLY SPARE TIRE FOR YOU...!!!" (Soup Nazi voice)

[@brianb-p6586]

The spare tire is omitted for cost, but mostly for weight, not because it doesn't fit.

[@chriscallahan7712]

The EUV still has the drive unit cooling loop

[@lp6696]

I have a basic question with respect to the casting they were talking about does anyone know what type of chemical cleaning or finishing process is done (clear anodize, clear coat etc.) ? Great video thanks!

[@joelrunyan1608]

You WILL fit in an euv.. im 6ft5. Just got mine. The fit issue? Is why I bought it.

[@ouch1011]

The Bolt is a very competent, long range EV for the price. Trying to compare it to a Tesla is like trying to compare a Toyota Corolla to an Audi A4. It’s meant to be economical transportation, and it does that very well.

[@LV4TD101]

These bolts are actually really well designed, and a lot of that is because GM didn't design it. If I remember right it was designed and originally manufacture in South Korea by LG but since then GM has brought it to the US to be assembled.

[@troosimimimmi]

designed by gm korea powerpack by lg

[@clementross4606]

The K & J Show

[@EdWood110]

So when the suspension is the cheapest, is it still a great solution, quality for a regular car? Also, reparability and costs to maintain... is something like this an overall good choice for everyone or just saving production costs?

[@Icayn]

In the case of the Bolt, (we own one) it rides better than a model 3 down the road until you come to harsh conditions, potholes and such, then it loses composure and even hits the bump stops. However, you save a lot on repairs and maint as well.

[@EdWood110]

@@Icayn Thank you, great answer. It does not have to behave like an expensive car, as long as it is a good car... and cheap repair and maintenance sounds good!

[@rkgsd]

I hope you guys can get your hands on an Ioniq 5.

[@devinlinehan7048]

I would like to see them talk more about that spare tire well. There is no spare tire and the space in that well is used very poorly for a car with very little space. I run my 2017 Bolt without any floors or spare tire foam piece and it makes a lot more space. If they could square that off and use the entire space under the car in the rear for in-car storage it would make a major difference for this small car. Also, if the weight is biased toward the front, then why not use that extra rear weight allocation for a towing allowance? Towing is mostly limited by trailer tongue weight, especially if trailer brakes are equipped. 500lbs of allowing tongue weight and a class 1 tow hitch & brake controller would make this car more useful then the Ford Maverk when paired with a very light trailer.

[@brianb-p6586]

@22:33 I don't think that GM wants weight in the rear for dynamics or anything else - because of the battery, the mass distribution of these EV adaptations of FWD ICE design (Bolt, Leaf, etc) is abnormally rear-biased for a front wheel drive vehicle.

[@dermotleslie3610]

The long and short of it as represented by the presenters.

[@brucewrandol]

Is there a panel that covers the drivetrain, compressor, etc?

[@brianb-p6586]

Yes, that's the aero shield that they talk about (but don't show) that was removed before this review.

[@geraldcecil7644]

@@brianb-p6586 You can buy for ~$490 an aftermarket steel skim plate, shipped from the Ukraine. It replaces the plastic cover. How it modifies the crash dynamics is TBD.

[@jrockerstein]

How did you get the injury on your right hand?

[@TennisGvy]

@23:02 what was that word? Castilization?

[@jonwatkins254]

Should I be putting props under my car lift?

[@andrewholdaway813]

Yes

[@blackthorncane1841]

The car's on a lift, not a hoist. And I didn't see the 4680 MY on the lift or tested for ride/handling/NVH/anything before it was stripped, is that coming?

[@ouch1011]

The fact that you speak a different dialect doesn’t make you right and them wrong. In North America, it’s called a hoist.

[@shazam6274]

It's a Demo car from GM and they probably had to get permission to remove the bottom dust cover. No teardown will be forthcoming. Besides who would pat $1/4 for a teardown report on this car?

[@jollygreen4662]

Did they do a review of the mach e? Did they like or dislike the design ?

[@urbo42]

My only concern buying a Bolt is that the platform doesn't seem to have a future in the new GM four platform plan. Don't really want to buy another orphan (speaking as an original owner of a 2012 Volt). Been happy with the Volt, but as it is 10 years old, I worry about keeping it much longer (have a Lyriq deposit down but when it will be built is a mystery - haven't configured it even because that is not possible).

[@imthelovestamp]

Just picked up a 2019 premier with 30k miles for 17k after taxes. Battery replaced in 2022. Screaming deal