We don't know the full specifications of the Model 3 and even though we know much more about the Bolt EV, GM might still have some surprise details to announce.
That said, the cars have many basic overlapping powertrain similarities in their base trim.
The Model 3 will have a somewhat less than 60 kWh battery and will have at least 215 miles of driving range. The Bolt EV has a 60 kWh battery and is EPA rated for 238 miles of range.
The Model 3 will do 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The Bolt EV will do 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds.
However, there are substantial differences. The Model 3 is a BMW 3-Series style sedan with a trunk. The Bolt EV is a hatchback with a somewhat taller ceiling so it has spacious room for taller drivers and good legroom in both front and rear seating positions. The Model 3 is likely wider so it will have slightly better rear seating for 3.
Unlike the Bolt EV, the Model 3 will have an option for a larger battery pack that may approach near 300 miles of range. The Model 3 will also likely have performance trims with more powerful motors or inverters. The Model 3 is RWD but will also have an AWD option. The Bolt EV is only available in FWD.
The Model 3 also has an option for AutoSteer and Advanced radar-based cruise control which the Bolt EV does not have, at least in the 2017 model.
Tesla uses OTA or over-the-air software updates to improve existing functionality and also to add new features to existing cars. The Bolt EV will also have OTA, a first for GM, but it isn't yet clear how they will use it and whether new features will ever be added to older car models through updates like Tesla does.
The Bolt EV's interior is conventional and shared with other GM models although it uses a computer display for the driver and a larger than typical center infotainment display. The Model 3 will use a larger center display with fewer or no physical buttons for controlling air conditioning etc. The final interior design of the Model 3 has not yet been shown in public and may differ substantially from the prototype models they revealed earlier this year. Elon Musk has teased that there may be innovative steering controls and displays. The Bolt EV supports close integration with SmartPhones supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Tesla has not supported that level of integration in the past.
Both the Model 3 and the Bolt EV (via an OnStar subscription) support remote access to vehicle statistics, climate controls, vehicle locking and unlocking, and similar controls. The Model 3 supports limited remote "summoning" under close visual driver supervision. In past vehicles, OnStar remote access was slow to initiate and sometimes unreliable. It remains to be seen if this will be improved in the Bolt EV.
The Model 3 will be longer and have a frunk for extra storage. The Bolt EV has a shorter front end and shorter overall length even though both cars may have similar interior passenger room. The Model 3's longer front end may have frontal crumple zone safety advantages but this remains to be seen in eventual crash safety tests. The Model S has exceptional crash safety but GM's Volt and smaller Sonic cars are also 5-star rated.
Many people think the Model 3 looks sexier although some question the beauty of its frontal snout. Most observers view the Bolt EVs appearance to be bland and to have a "cheap econobox hatchback" aura.
The Model 3 will have far better roadside fast charging infrastructure and capability. The Bolt EV's documented charging capabilities are usable on longer trips but are more limited so charging times will likely be somewhat slower. GM may or may not announce more charging details before retail sales begin. There appears to be a path for funding widespread higher speed SAE CCS DC charging compatible with the Bolt EV but it will take several years before it matches the national availability of today's already existing Tesla Supercharging stations.
The Model 3 is likely to be very aerodynamic so energy consumption will rise more slowly at high freeway speeds than for the Bolt EV which has average aerodynamics for cars of its general form factor. However, the Bolt EV has excellent EPA efficiency ratings for both the city and highway test cycles. The EPA ratings for the Model 3 are not yet known.
In a future world with many different 200+ mile BEVs the Model 3 and Bolt EV would not be cross-shopped and compared but in today's world with hardly any 200+ mile BEVs under $40,000 some customers will compare them as possible competitors.
The Model 3 is expected to begin retail production in late 2017. The Bolt EV is expected to begin retail production within the next several weeks. Ultimately, production of the Model 3 may have a lower CO2 Impact due to vertical manufacturing integration, and planned renewable energy use at Tesla's factories in Fremont, Calufornia and Soarks, Nevada. The Bolt EV has battery packs and a number of other core components manufactured in South Korea before final assembly at a GM factory in Michigan. Tesla is planning for hundreds of thousands of Model 3 car production. GM has said they have supplier arrangements in place for building up to 50,000 Bolt EVs although first year production may be less than 30,000.
The GM Orion Assembly Plant has a large 350 kW solar array along with nearby landfill methane collection allows the factory to obtain 54% of its electricity from "clean" sources. Tesla plans to integrate an enormous rooftop solar system on its Nevada battery factory along with some other carbon-free sources and aims for 100% renewable electricity. The energy sources used by LG in Korea are unclear.
