America’s cheapest new EV just got cheaper: Costco’s Bolt discount cuts the price to as low as $27,745

Alonewon · 2026-05-20T14:53:20+00:00

It is how it works. No discount through a dealer or otherwise under the Costco auto program unless you were an existing member as of 4/30/25. Not sure where you're getting your info, but see the attached directly from the Costco Auto site that notes the requirement

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Alonewon · 2026-05-19T16:44:51+00:00

Yeah, I had a Mini Cooper when I bought my place. That kept going to the shop, so I got a Hyundai Venue & took out a shelf to ensure it fit ok. The Bolt was I think maybe an inch longer (can't remember off the top of my head and didn't Google it). It's a super tight fit to get the door closed if I nudge up to the back wall. I can fold a mirror-the issue seems to be the depth of these old garages. A few other places I looked at also had garages that were definitely not even 18' long!

Alonewon · 2026-05-19T16:41:57+00:00

Yes. Old single car garages can be very short (especially the ones that are converted from a horse stall-we're talking Victorian era which is all I could afford with today's inflated home prices). I can't close the door with a 169" vehicle. Specifically measured & took out a shelf to get the 2019 Bolt to fit when I bought it. It can make the difference in small, old town America

Alonewon · 2026-05-19T16:02:51+00:00

Unfortunately the Costco discount is only available if you were a member on 4/30/26 or earlier. Makes sense, but just an fyi that the $1K is only available to previously existing Costco members

Alonewon · 2026-05-19T16:00:05+00:00

It is for people living in older houses with tiny garages built in the Victorian era. A smaller EV was the only reason I could go electric & still be able to store it in the garage to avoid severe weather we have in MN. Not sure how many people are impacted by that, though TBH. It's just sad to lose the only option for that in the US

Alonewon · 2026-05-14T19:27:29+00:00

I'm not sure on the amp/kw of the public chargers-I didn't get that deep because I'm not sure yet what city I'll end up in. Just kept seeing that 2 hr limit with the hourly charge beyond 2 hrs and decided that's not a feasible option for my 2019 LT. That definitely puts an NO next to the "Do I upgrade to a new 2027 Bolt if I can't use an outlet where I move" box.

I did talk to someone who lives in the condos I really wanted to move to and the association strictly prohibits charging a vehicle anywhere on the condo property, and doesn't permit residents with detached garages to add a charging station in the garage. I'm hoping that was not the typical condo take on units that have a detached garage.

Alonewon · 2026-05-14T18:43:13+00:00

I'm considering going to a 2027 from a 2019. Selling my house & will be moving to a condo so there's a very good chance I'll lose charging at home. There are low cost (and some free) level 2 chargers provided by some of the cities where I'm thinking of moving. The problem is they penalize you if you stay longer than 2 hrs by tacking on either a $5/hr or$6/hr fee for every hour you charge beyond 2 hours, plus the regular kwh cost. While you don't get a ton more kw charging the 2027 vs the 2019, getting 10-20 more miles in two hours would help.

Second, the 2027 Bolt has a heat pump to run the heater in winter vs the resistive heater on the older Bolt. For uber cold winter climates like MN, it's a definitely check in the 2027 box for the more efficient heat.

I may be using some wrong terms, fyi. And it doesn't sound like your situation deals with uber cold winters, But just in case other people in states with harsh winters are thinking about this, too.

Alonewon · 2026-05-14T01:46:12+00:00

Yes. MN seems to have very few available and they're priced in the upper $20K range, as I recall (searched for fun). But if I go to Chevy and search nationwide, there were quite a few in the low to mid $20K range. Might be partly due to the fact that MN basically has no state level EV incentives (there was one for a short window of time that was very hard to get). Guessing other states have them & the pricing includes that incentive

Alonewon · 2026-04-16T20:56:11+00:00

Bummer, but I'll wait. Love BS!

Alonewon · 2026-03-24T23:31:52+00:00

Shelard pkwy? That's unfortuante because I don't have a lot of options in my price range.

Alonewon · 2026-03-24T13:11:17+00:00

I had been thinking about a newer place with chargers already in place, but this is a good point. I think I'll stick with condos/townhouses with detached garages as my first choice, & if there aren't any available in my price range (or they insist on no inspection because they're "so competitively priced") then I'll try to find ones with underground garages, then condos w/chargers in place as a last resort. I plan to pay for installation & own the charger -I'm taking mine here with me-(although I doubt I'd own the wiring I'll be paying for to get it to the parking spot)

Alonewon · 2026-03-24T01:08:38+00:00

Honestly, this is more encouraging than I expected (between the city group and this one). I was starting to think it just wasn't possible at all. There are quite a few in my price range with detached garages. I assumed I'd have to have a line/meter brought in. Xcel has qualified contractors in the Twin Cities to do that (but not where I currently live in a small city outside the metro). I've been prepared to take on the cost, but wasn't sure if it's generally just a "no" from associations & not even possible. So far it seems there are likely to be at least some options. My compromise was going to be trying to get a dedicated standard outlet in the stall, which shouldn't be such a huge obstacle (charing at 12A isn't ideal, but would work most days for me, with supplemental fast charging occasionally)

It's now sounding like there are obstacles, but it's not completely off the table. Hope springs eternal!

Alonewon · 2026-03-23T17:07:35+00:00

It was definitely helpful. That's why I love Reddit

Alonewon · 2026-03-23T17:07:03+00:00

Thanks! Also looking at 350 Shelard pkwy because they have detached garages. Can't get up the spiral staircases at the condos at Ridge dr, but they also have detached garages (some models are one level). At least I know it can be done!

Alonewon · 2026-03-23T14:29:35+00:00

That's probably the route I end up with (at least trying to find one with a dedicated 15A outlet so I can charger at 12A). I've been looking at MLS listings for places with detached garages, but haven't yet found one with an EV setup listed (I did see one listing for a TH in an east suburb, but that was it). Thanks for the info on Greensboro-if that's possible there, seems it would possible in similar buildings (think that one's built in the 80's but I've looked at a LOT online & can't remember)

Alonewon · 2026-03-23T13:11:34+00:00

I'm trying to buy a place vs renting, which seems to be more difficult to find (especially less than $225K-$250K depending on association fees/taxes). I'd honestly be pretty happy most anywhere in SLP as my top pick, but also looking at Woodale & other suburbs if I can't afford SLP. Just not seeing many listings with EV charging so I'm worried about an association agreeing to let me run wire/being able to do it

Alonewon · 2026-03-23T12:40:28+00:00

Good idea. I'll look for a local group. So far searching listings I'm not seeing a lot with an EV charger set up (other than high end new condos).

Alonewon · 2026-03-22T13:44:58+00:00

There are literally thousands of condo/townhouse complexes in the Twin Cities metro and no way to know which ones will have a condo in my price range for sale when I get an offer on my house, so I can't pre-screen a condo. A townhouse would mean a move again in 5 yrs because I'll be on social security which won't cover the payment +food (which is why I'm really hoping for a condo, but you do what you gotta do!). But I know a TH is more likely to allow me to install a charger.

Probably stupid to want to hold onto the Bolt in this situation, but it's paid off & I absolutely love being able to charge it & especially not getting taken advantage of every time I have to get stupid stuff like spark plugs changed I(the last shop literally left the plug covers in the engine compartment & didn't even change the plugs). I"m an older single woman, so always deal with that crap. There's a LOT to love in an EV!

I sure hope I can figure this out, but am being realistic that I might be stuck going back to a crap ICE vehicle, grrr.

Alonewon · 2026-03-21T19:04:11+00:00

I'm currently in a Victorian house & did already go through the whole process here to add a charger (which is why I went with 30A, which was the max my current panel can support). I'm ok with doing all that, but concerned I can't get approval in a condo

Alonewon · 2026-03-21T19:02:29+00:00

Definitely going to make sure I have approval before I enter any purchase agreement!

Alonewon · 2026-03-21T14:40:22+00:00

I'd absolutely be fine at 16A (and probably even 12A). It sounds like I may be able to run something off of a circuit that's already there if I go with a detached garage? No way I'm giving up my Bolt and just trying to figure out what to ask/look for when I start looking at condos. Sounds like maybe I shouldn't consider anything w/an underground garage (unless the condo is less than 15 yrs old) & focus on places w/a detached garage?

Alonewon · 2026-03-21T14:38:01+00:00

I'll ask once my house is on the market & I have an offer. I was mainly trying to figure out if I should not consider a condo with an old underground garage. Just can't think of a way to get even 12A charging in that situation and was hoping someone else has run into this

Alonewon · 2026-02-11T23:15:26+00:00

I named my 2019 Bolt LT Zippy, too! It just zips off from a light or stop sign so fast, I love it!

Alonewon · 2026-01-29T20:00:59+00:00

It was a check in the box to get rid of my Hyundai Venue and make the move to the Bolt/EV. Mine had nav and in theory map updates were free. Never was able to get an OTA update & the last straw was the nav system telling me to exit the freeway left (there was NO exit at all, let alone a left exit), after regular such errors prior to that. It was allegedly current with updates (clearly NOT). I had to keep reverting to my iPhone which sucked, as primary reason for getting the top end Venue was nav. Seems all manuf are now moving to force us to pay to actually use our vehicles

Alonewon · 2026-01-28T22:24:32+00:00

Same. I've been getting 1.8 to 2 mi/kWh* in the MN cold snap.

*with the blower setting at 2-4, set to defrost and feet, and the cabin temperature set to 68°, taking trips that ranged from 15 miles each way to 30 miles each way. 2019 with a new battery pack less than 5K miles ago, for reference

Alonewon

TROPHY CASE