Kang Chang-beom, vice president of LG Chem, supplier of the Chevrolet Bolt’s batteries, predicted that at least 30,000 EV hatches will be sold in 2017.
Kang Chang-beom made the prediction at a conference call discussing the company’s third quarter earnings.
US sales of the Nissan Leaf peaked in 2014 at 30,200. In 2015, Tesla sold 26,400 Model S sedans, while BMW sold 11,024 i3 hatchbacks, although the i3 is also available gas engine range extender.
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt goes on sale late this year in the US with a price of US$37,495. That comes down to US$29,995 after a US$7,500 federal tax credit. [2017 Chevrolet pricing and specifications here.]
The Bolt has a driving range of 238mi (383km), and will also be sold in Europe as the Opel Ampera-e.
Source: Automotive News, sales figures from Good Car Bad Car
