OpinionHow the Chevrolet Bolt EV Convinced Us of an Electric Future

It was around the time that I left a souped up Audi A4 as a small dot in my rear view mirror that I was won over. The fully-electric Chevrolet Bolt EV looks unassuming. It’s not the sexiest of vehicles around, and truth be told, it looks like the type of car your grandma would drive to the shops in.

But at that moment when I peeled away from the traffic lights quicker than the guy in the German car, spoiling for a drag race, I could tell it was special.

Don’t get me wrong. I completely understand that limiting gas guzzling vehicles is key to keeping the planet from imploding. However, I’ve never really liked the idea of driving the equivalent of a slightly fancier milk float.

The Chevrolet Bolt EV is much, much more than this.

Nippy number

At a full charge, the Bolt EV is quick. The 200bhp under its tiny hood will propel you from nought to 60 in a not too shabby 6.5 seconds. It also handles like a go-kart, which is great for weaving through traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road.

It’s not just about speed, mind.

Sure it’s a fun drive, but it’s also an affordable one. At a starting price of AED 160,000, the Bolt EV represents the perfect gateway to the world of electric powered cars.

It might not have the looks of a Tesla Model 3 or Jaguar I-Pace, but it’s a fraction of their price. And with a range of 238 miles from a full-charge, Bolt EV becomes the benchmark for all electric cars that follow.

U-turn

When you consider what the Chevrolet Bolt EV has to offer – the battery power, sharp handling, acceleration and the like – it’s hard not to love it. Which I did. A lot.

Its looks leave much to be desired, and the standard interior feels like cheap plastic, but it has a certain charm that grown on me. Like the TARDIS, it’s surprisingly roomy inside, which is perfect for lugging the family around in.

Overall though, it’s just a fun car to drive and one that does it without ruining the environment.

I’ll still love the sound of a V12, quad-exhaust motor gargling fuel, but the Chevrolet Bolt EV has convinced me that an electric future doesn’t have to be a mundane one.