Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular in Canada in recent years as the country continues to transition towards a more sustainable future. One company at the forefront of this movement is Chevrolet, which has been developing electric cars for over a decade. With its commitment to innovation and sustainability, Chevrolet is poised to be a major player in the future of EVs in Canada.

One of Chevrolet's most notable electric cars is the Bolt EV, which was first introduced in Canada in 2017. This compact car boasts an impressive range of over 380 km on a single charge, making it an attractive option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing convenience. The Bolt has received critical acclaim and has won numerous awards, including being named the Canadian Green Car of the Year in 2017 and 2018.

Chevrolet's commitment to electric vehicles goes beyond just the Chevy Bolt. The company has pledged to offer 30 all-electric models globally by 2025, which is a significant investment in a more sustainable future. This commitment includes the highly anticipated Chevrolet Silverado EV, a fully electric version of the company's popular pickup truck. The Silverado EV is expected to have a range of over 400 km and will be capable of towing up to 4,500 kg.

In addition to its production of electric cars, Chevrolet has also invested in the infrastructure needed to support them in Canada. The company has partnered with charging providers such as Flo and ChargePoint to increase the number of public charging stations available to electric car owners. Chevrolet has also developed a mobile app that helps drivers locate charging stations and monitor their vehicle's charging status remotely.

Chevrolet's commitment to electric vehicles is not just driven by a desire to be more sustainable. The company recognizes that electric cars offer numerous benefits over traditional gasoline-powered vehicles in the Canadian market. Electric cars are cheaper to operate and maintain, as they have fewer moving parts and require less frequent maintenance. They are also more efficient, as electric motors convert up to 90% of the energy stored in their batteries into motion, compared to gasoline engines, which convert only about 20% of the energy stored in gasoline into motion.

Another benefit of electric cars in Canada is their potential to provide energy storage for the power grid. As more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are added to the grid, there is a growing need for energy storage to balance the intermittency of these sources. Electric cars can be charged during periods of excess renewable energy production and discharged during periods of peak demand, providing a valuable source of energy storage.

In conclusion, the future of electric vehicles in Canada looks bright with Chevrolet leading the way. The company's commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in its investment in electric car production, infrastructure, and partnerships. With the introduction of the Silverado EV and the promise of 30 all-electric models by 2025, Chevrolet is poised to be a major player in the future of transportation in Canada. As more Canadians recognize the benefits of electric cars, we can expect to see them become increasingly common on the roads in the years to come.

GM has developed a great lineup of EVs for Chevy shoppers to choose from. With the upcoming release of the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV, Chevy has a car, crossover, and truck in its EV repertoire. Do you want to know more about Chevy's EVs and what it's like to own one in Ottawa? Our GM experts here at Jim Tubman Chevrolet have some answers for you.

Chevy Electric Vehicle Lineup

There are three electric vehicle options available for Chevy shoppers: the Chevy Bolt EV, the Bolt EUV, and the Silverado EV. The Bolt EV is a sedan, while the Bolt EUV, which stands for electric utility vehicle, is a crossover. The Silverado EV is an all-new version of Chevy's classic full-size pickup.

You can check out these EV options at our Ottawa showroom. We'll be happy to arrange for you to take a test drive in a Bolt EV or EUV so you can get a feel for how it performs on the road before you commit to a purchase. Fill out a form to get in contact with us today!

Chevy Bolt EV

The Bolt EV is a five-seater car with plenty of space in both rows for adult passengers. The Bolt is powered by a 65-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor that puts out 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This power train gives you plenty of acceleration for highway driving, with the Bolt able to move from zero to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds.

At the rear, the Bolt has over 16 cubic feet of cargo space. That's ample room for a large load of groceries or a weekend's worth of luggage. You get cloth seats in the standard setup, but you can upgrade to leather upholstery, along with heated front and rear seats, to create a more luxurious cabin.

The Bolt has a driving range of 259 miles. With a standard 120-volt charger, you can charge the battery at a rate of about 4 miles per hour. This won't be a viable option for most drivers, since it would take several days to fully charge your battery. A more practical alternative is a 240-volt charger, which allows you to fully charge the Bolt's battery in approximately eight hours.

Chevy Bolt EUV

The Bolt EUV is slightly longer than the Bolt EV, has more rear-seat legroom, and boasts some different exterior design features. GM brought out Chevy's first-ever electric crossover for the 2022 model year, and it's already proved to be a popular choice.

The Bolt EUV's power train is the same as the Bolt EV's, and it returns the same horsepower and torque numbers. It gets a driving range of 250 miles on a full charge. With a Level 2 240-volt charger, you can fully charge the Bolt EUV in seven to eight hours.

Inside the cabin, you'll have just over 16 cubic feet of storage with the second row of seats in use. With the rear row folded down, you'll have around 56 cubic feet of space, which is among the roomiest cabins in the class.

Several upgrade packages are offered to give you the option of a more upscale cabin. You can add a power-adjustable seat for the driver, heated and ventilated front seats, and leather upholstery. In the higher trims, you can add GM's semi-autonomous driving system, which includes steering, braking, and acceleration along 200,000 miles of highway in Canada and the United States.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV

The Silverado EV will start to arrive in dealerships in the spring of 2023. The first configuration is expected to be a Silverado EV WT or work truck, which is aimed primarily at the job site. The Silverado will have a battery pack and electric motor capable of achieving up to 400 miles of driving on a full charge.

The Silverado EV will share some technology with the GMC Hummer EV, which was the first all-electric truck built by GM. The Silverado EV will have a four-door crew cab and four-wheel steering. It's expected to boast a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds, although GM has promised to release a Silverado EV capable of pulling 20,000 pounds in the future.

Shortly after the work truck hits dealership lots, GM will bring out the range-topping RST model. This trim is expected to be packed full of technology and will have a six-figure price tag. It will also pack a powerful punch, with initial reports suggesting that it will put out at least 660 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque.

The Benefits of Buying an EV

If you're considering buying an EV for the first time, there are many good reasons to do so now. The network of public charging stations in Ottawa and across the country is growing, ensuring that you'll be able to access charging options while you're on the go. Additionally, the cost of installing a 240-volt charger in your home, which allows you to charge a Bolt overnight, has become much more affordable over recent years.

Technology improvements have reduced the price of electric vehicles significantly over recent years. It's no longer the case that you have to pay substantially more for an electric crossover such as the EUV than a traditional gas-powered SUV.

Why Shop at Jim Tubman Chevy?

You should make Jim Tubman Chevrolet your No. 1 stop for electric vehicles in Ottawa. In addition to the great range of EVs in our showroom, we can offer competitive auto financing to help fund your purchase and a professional service centre to provide you with regular maintenance. You can also take a look at our new vehicle incentives to make sure you get the best deal for your purchase. And if you decide purchasing an EV outright isn't the right choice for you, there are always our leasing options to consider.

If you have any questions about the Chevy EV lineup, don't hesitate to contact our dealership. Our team of GM experts knows the Bolt and Bolt EUV inside out and is looking forward to the arrival of the first Silverado EV in the coming months. We'd be delighted to assist you in learning more about our auto loan options and help you have a hassle-free buying experience.

By Andrew McCredit, Driving.ca - GM better add some more shelves to its trophy case.

The Chevrolet Bolt is the winner of the 2017 Canadian Green Car Award, presented at the Green Living Show in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

A panel of 13 top Canadian automotive journalists selected the Bolt, a groundbreaking electric vehicle with a 383-kilometre range, from among six category winners as the vehicle that best combines environmental benefits and mass-market appeal.

The other category winners include the Chevrolet Volt (Plug-in Hybrid), the Hyundai Ioniq (Conventional Hybrid), the Honda Civic (Efficient Internal Combustion), Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (Efficient Three-Row Family Vehicle) and the Jaguar XE 2.0D (Fun Car).

Andrew Horsman, executive director of Ontario Tire Stewardship, which recycles 95 per cent of Ontario's tires into a variety of useful and valuable products, presented the trophy to Matthew Stokes, assistant brand manager for Chevrolet Canada.

"It's a true honour for Chevrolet to be recognized with the Canadian Green Car Award for the second year in a row, with Volt in 2016, and now the game-changing Bolt EV in 2017," Stokes said.  "Chevrolet is committed to innovation and electrification and we are proud to sell more plug-in electric vehicles in Canada than any other brand.

According to Eric Novak of EnviroDad.com, the Award's Co-Creator and member of the Steering Committee, the Bolt EV was the clear choice of the judging panel, receiving 11 of 13 first-place votes from among the six category winners.

"Our list of category winners this year was exceptional, however in the end our judges felt that the Chevrolet Bolt EV, with its game-changing range and competitive price point, was most deserving of being named overall winner," Novak said, adding the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid was the only other vehicle to garner first-place votes.

Ford's Fusion Hybrid won the inaugural 2013 Canadian Green Car Award, followed in 2014 by the Honda Accord Hybrid, the Kia Soul EV in 2015 and, last year, the Chevrolet Volt.

By General Motors, Toronto - The Chevrolet Bolt EV was recognized today with the 2017 Canadian Green Car Award at the Green Living Show.  This is the second consecutive Car of the Year win for Chevrolet, after the Volt took home the award in 2016.

The Bolt EV, winner of this year's Zero Emission category, was selected by a panel of top  Canadian automotive journalists from among six category winners as the vehicle that best combines environmental benefits and mass-market appeal.  This year, the 2017 Chevrolet Volt won in the Plug-in Hybrid category.

The Canadian Green Car Awards recognizes vehicles, widely available in Canada, that combine impressive environmental attributes with strong mass-market appeal.  The assessments included criteria, such as fuel consumption, emissions and price, as well as the judges' evaluations of performance, driving experience, value, features and "green" qualities.

QUOTING:

"It's a true honour for Chevrolet to be recognized again with the Canadian Green Car Award, with Volt in 2016 and now the game-changing Bolt EV in 2017", said Matthew Stokes, assistant brand manager, Chevrolet in Canada.  "Chevrolet is committed to innovation and electrification and we are proud to sell more plug-in electric vehicles in Canada than any other brand."

2017 BOLT EV BACKGROUND:

The Chevrolet Bolt EV is on sale now in Canadian dealers and set the range benchmark for an affordable EV capable of going the distance by delivering up to 383 kilometres on a full charge.  Bolt EV starts at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $42,795 (plus $1,600 freight charge and $100 air conditioning tax), but excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees.  In Ontario, pricing can be as low as $30,406 after the eligible Ontario provincial incentive of $12,389.

About The Green Living Show

The Green Living Show is Canada's largest consumer show dedicated to simple solutions for leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.  This three-day event offers inspiration for all ages and features influential speakers; eco home, cottage and garden design; local and organic food and wine tastings; health, wellness and yoga pavilions; eco fashion and green beauty makeovers; electric and hybrid car test drives; nature exhibits and fun activities for the entire family.

About the Canadian Green Car Award

The Canadian Green Car Award is Canada's premier award recognizing vehicles with the greatest potential for environmental benefits.  The Award is an independent program developed by automotive journalists Eric Novak, Michael Bettencourt and Peter Gorrie, who comprise its steering committee.  The Award recognizes vehicles, widely available in Canada, that offer both impressive environmental attributes and strong mass-market appeal, since any product can have a significant impact only if it sells in large numbers.