The Chevy Bolt EV confusion could be over with the new generation. This popular EV will have its brake lights in a different position than the older models.
The Bolt EV and Bolt EUV will return to the market and use a smaller version of the Ultium platform from GM. This means the old EV platform that underpins the previous generation is gone and a new model emerges. GM promises this new Bolt pair will have improved driving range and modern features, including a new brake light setup.
Here’s why the older model was an issue.
What’s wrong with the Bolt brake lights?
The previous generation of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV presented a confusing rear hatch area. Although it looked rather conventional from afar, once the brake lights were engaged, the confusion began. The rear area features the upper central brake light, a pair of hatch-mounted running lights/turn signals, and lower-mounted brake lights. This low position is a bit strange, but it’s required by law.
The challenge with these older brake lights is that drivers in vehicles with higher seating positions might not see the lower brake lights and assume the center, hatch-mounted lights would be the brake lights. Drivers in these higher vehicles might be able to see the center, top mounted light, but not the lower lights.
Did this brake light position cause any accidents?
The low brake light position for the Chevy Bolt EV was never a massive safety issue, but some owners expressed concerns over their position on the car. The top-mounted light is easy to miss, and some drivers don’t notice this light, which became a requirement for vehicles in 1986. Although when first implemented, it was more noticeable, much like white noise, many drivers don’t notice this light and might not see it on the back of the Bolt EV. Still, the low brake light position has not caused any real problems for this vehicle.
Why did Chevy put the main brake lights low on the Bolt?
By law, all vehicles must have a set of fixed brake lights that don’t move with the hatch. The centrally-mounted lights are positioned on the rear hatch of the Bolt EV, which means the automaker had to position a set of fixed brake lights below the hatch. When the rear hatch is open, the upper center light isn’t visible if the rear hatch is open, which means the only way other vehicles know the Bolt EV is slowing or stopping is with the low-mounted rear lights. These lights are positioned just above the rear bumper.
What should we see with the new Bolt EV?
When the new generation of this Chevy EV arrives, it should include a set of brake lights that are located higher on the vehicle but not part of the rear hatch. This will solve the problem that some previous owners have complained about regarding the brake lights and how visible or invisible they can be.
The Bolt should remain affordable
Although the new Bolt will use the Ultium platform, it will also use LFP batteries, which will help keep prices low. GM intends for this new EV to be just as affordable as it was before the previous generation ended. In fact, the goal is to ensure the Bolt EV is the most affordable electric vehicle in the market. If this is the case, the Bolt will continue to be one of the most popular, if not the most popular, electric vehicles available.
Pricing for the Bolt EV will need to be pretty low to undercut the new Equinox EV. This new Chevy compact SUV starts at $34,995, which means it can be as little as $27,495 when the $7,500 federal EV tax credit is applied to the price. The Bolt EV will likely start around $30,000 or less when it returns to the market.
A much better Bolt
The brake light position is one of the most glaring issues that previous owners found in the Chevy Bolt EV. The use of a new platform could allow the new Bolt to have at least 300 miles of driving range and a larger battery pack than the previous model. Additionally, this new Chevy EV should charge much faster than the older version.
Will the new brake light position of the Chevy Bolt EV make a difference to you? Is this a deciding factor for you when shopping for an EV? Will you drive this new version of the Bolt when it arrives next year?
