By Bob Sorokanich, senior editor, GM News
By Bob Sorokanich, senior editor, GM News
Jeff Higgins sees the future of General Motors vehicles long before the public gets a glimpse. As trim launch coordinator at the company’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, Higgins helps prepare the plant to produce new vehicle models. “I’m working on cars well in advance,” he told GM News.
So when GM announced that the Chevrolet Bolt would return for model-year 2027, assembled at Fairfax, Higgins knew it was time to experience EV driving firsthand. He bought a pre-owned 2020 Chevy Bolt – his first electric vehicle.
“One, I've been interested in EV technology and how it works,” Higgins told GM News. “Secondly, I knew that our plant was going to be building the 2027 Bolt, so I wanted to get familiar with this type of vehicle.”
Higgins has worked at Fairfax Assembly since 2009; before that, he worked at four other GM assembly plants. Even for this automotive expert, the EV driving experience has been eye-opening.
“I really love it,” he says. “I like how quiet it is to operate on the road. I also don’t have to worry about planned maintenance as often, such as oil changes and brake pad wear, especially using the one pedal driving. I love the quick acceleration and handling. It’s like driving a souped-up go-kart.”
Higgins commutes about 40 miles a day. So far, he’s racked up more than 15,000 miles on his Bolt. “The biggest thing I like is the low cost to operate, especially the energy efficiency,” he said. “I put on a couple hundred miles a week, and I only have to charge once or twice a week.”
Efficiency has become an obsession for Higgins. “I challenge myself to see how much range I can get,” he told GM News. He keeps an eye on the mile-per-kWh readout on his Bolt’s dashboard. “Each day I see if I can hit a new high number,” he said. With practice and experimentation, he’s seen as much as 4.9 miles per kWh, while his typical weekly average hovers between 3.8 and 4.2. “It’s a little game I play with myself,” he said with a chuckle.
Higgins is a recent convert to the EV life, but he’s already an ambassador, showcasing his Bolt to his colleagues at Fairfax Assembly. “I let them come see it, test drive it, or ride around with me,” he said. “I try to share with them how well it performs; how convenient it is.” He’s already changed a few minds, and he intends to keep educating his peers on the benefits of EVs.
As Fairfax Assembly gears up to build the 2027 Chevy Bolt, Higgins has gotten an up-close look at the changes to this beloved EV. He’s glad to see that the updated model has similar tidy proportions to his 2020 model. “When we go out for date night downtown in Kansas City, it’s so easy to park our Bolt,” he said.
He’s even mulling an upgrade. “I like owning a vehicle that’s assembled in our facility,” he said. “I’m very excited to see these new Bolts out on the road.”
“Love My Chevy Bolt” is a GM News series highlighting General Motors employees and their connection to Chevrolet’s iconic EV. As we get closer to the unveiling of the 2027 Chevy Bolt, we’ll be featuring employee stories from people who have a personal Bolt story to tell.
Bob Sorokanich is a former automotive journalist whose work has appeared in Road & Track, Car and Driver, Wired, Robb Report, and many other publications. He is senior editor at GM News. Reach him at news@gm.com
Jeff Higgins sees the future of General Motors vehicles long before the public gets a glimpse. As trim launch coordinator at the company’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, Higgins helps prepare the plant to produce new vehicle models. “I’m working on cars well in advance,” he told GM News.
So when GM announced that the Chevrolet Bolt would return for model-year 2027, assembled at Fairfax, Higgins knew it was time to experience EV driving firsthand. He bought a pre-owned 2020 Chevy Bolt – his first electric vehicle.
“One, I've been interested in EV technology and how it works,” Higgins told GM News. “Secondly, I knew that our plant was going to be building the 2027 Bolt, so I wanted to get familiar with this type of vehicle.”
Higgins has worked at Fairfax Assembly since 2009; before that, he worked at four other GM assembly plants. Even for this automotive expert, the EV driving experience has been eye-opening.
“I really love it,” he says. “I like how quiet it is to operate on the road. I also don’t have to worry about planned maintenance as often, such as oil changes and brake pad wear, especially using the one pedal driving. I love the quick acceleration and handling. It’s like driving a souped-up go-kart.”
Higgins commutes about 40 miles a day. So far, he’s racked up more than 15,000 miles on his Bolt. “The biggest thing I like is the low cost to operate, especially the energy efficiency,” he said. “I put on a couple hundred miles a week, and I only have to charge once or twice a week.”
Efficiency has become an obsession for Higgins. “I challenge myself to see how much range I can get,” he told GM News. He keeps an eye on the mile-per-kWh readout on his Bolt’s dashboard. “Each day I see if I can hit a new high number,” he said. With practice and experimentation, he’s seen as much as 4.9 miles per kWh, while his typical weekly average hovers between 3.8 and 4.2. “It’s a little game I play with myself,” he said with a chuckle.
Higgins is a recent convert to the EV life, but he’s already an ambassador, showcasing his Bolt to his colleagues at Fairfax Assembly. “I let them come see it, test drive it, or ride around with me,” he said. “I try to share with them how well it performs; how convenient it is.” He’s already changed a few minds, and he intends to keep educating his peers on the benefits of EVs.
As Fairfax Assembly gears up to build the 2027 Chevy Bolt, Higgins has gotten an up-close look at the changes to this beloved EV. He’s glad to see that the updated model has similar tidy proportions to his 2020 model. “When we go out for date night downtown in Kansas City, it’s so easy to park our Bolt,” he said.
He’s even mulling an upgrade. “I like owning a vehicle that’s assembled in our facility,” he said. “I’m very excited to see these new Bolts out on the road.”
“Love My Chevy Bolt” is a GM News series highlighting General Motors employees and their connection to Chevrolet’s iconic EV. As we get closer to the unveiling of the 2027 Chevy Bolt, we’ll be featuring employee stories from people who have a personal Bolt story to tell.
Bob Sorokanich is a former automotive journalist whose work has appeared in Road & Track, Car and Driver, Wired, Robb Report, and many other publications. He is senior editor at GM News. Reach him at news@gm.com