Chevy Bolt Battery Fix Could Increase Your Range

by Gabrielle DeSantis

General Motors’ new Chevrolet Bolt battery fix could extend your vehicle’s total range. GM recalled all Chevy Bolt models after several battery fire disasters. This recall is the most recent of many waves of recalls involving the Bolt. How much range could the Bolt gain from this fix, and is it enough to make consumers want the electric vehicle again?

How will General Motors fix Chevy Bolt batteries?

The engine under the front hood of the Chevrolet Bolt EV | Joanne Rathe/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

General Motors and the Chevrolet Bolt have fallen from grace. The Chevy Bolt received praise upon its debut in 2017. The Bolt EV and EUV were set to usher in a new era of American-made electric vehicles for Chevy and GM. The Bolt’s run had a great start but recently hit a snag that it may never be able to recover from.

General Motors partnered with LG Chem to create the batteries for Chevrolet Bolt models. The Bolt was once known for providing great value and battery range. Today it is known for blowing up. The Bolt’s battery packs have overheated and caused the vehicles to catch on fire on several occasions. The automaker is trying to overcome this catastrophe by replacing all Chevy Bolt battery modules. According to Green Car Reports, GM is attempting to extend the battery range of some of the recalled Chevy Bolts.

The Chevy Bolt Battery fix will extend to 2017-2019 models. GM plans to replace the battery modules with newer battery cell technology, effectively increasing the battery range past its original limitations. How much more battery capacity will Chevy Bolt owners actually get?

The Chevy Bolt’s battery capacity increase

A 2022 Chevy Bolt.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV | Chevrolet

The Chevy Bolt battery fix is really more of a replacement. GM will replace the old defective battery modules with stronger new modules for 2017-2019 models (that hopefully don’t explode). General Motors will attempt to increase the total battery capacity of these models by as much as eight percent.

The 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt models had 238 miles of range. This increase will bring the electric car’s total range to 257 miles on a full charge. GM will also provide an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the new battery modules. This Chevy Bolt battery fix can take years of depreciation off of the models receiving replacement modules.

Providing newer, stronger battery modules to thousands of Chevy Bolt owners is one way to make up for the battery fire debacle. This gesture is essentially Chevrolet and GM’s way of asking consumers for a second chance. The real question is, is this gesture enough to win over consumers after one of the largest major recalls in recent years?

Does anyone still want a Chevy Bolt?

A red 2022 Chevy Bolt.
Adam Schiff plugs in his Chevy Bolt | Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/LA Daily News via Getty Images

It’s shocking that anyone would still be interested in the Chevy Bolt EV or any electric vehicle that GM produces after the company’s huge recall. Risk of fire is no small issue. It’s safe to assume that no one wants a vehicle that could explode, burn down their home or injure themselves, friends, or family members.

General Motors and Chevrolet have plenty of work to do before winning over the average consumer. This Chevy Bolt battery fix should be the first action on a long list of tasks GM should complete before releasing its EV to the general public again. Many Chevrolet Bolt owners will be content with their new stronger battery modules, but can they ever really trust their electric car not to go up in flames again?

RELATED: Chevy Bolt’s Billion-Dollar Battery Replacement Debacle Is Bad News for Joe Biden

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