Near the Michigan-Indiana line, a rural mail carrier is considering an unusual addition to their postal route.
The mail carrier took to Reddit's r/BoltEV community to ask whether "a 'cheap' car like a Bolt [would] hold up to a very rigorous postal route?"
Here's what to know
In the Reddit thread, the carrier described their situation, including that their route was 72 miles long, and 100 miles long when including their commute.
The original poster also shared their concerns that the vehicle might not be able to drive the full range in Michigan's winter weather and that the cargo area was too small. The OP explained that they were considering buying a 2023 Bolt EUV with a rebuilt title, roughly 25,000 miles, with an asking price of about $15,000.
Much of the response from the comments section was encouraging.
One commenter from West Michigan said, "My WORST winter days would be about 2mi/kWh… so it seems like you'd be covered almost all of the time."
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Another commenter added, "I think it would do well for 100 miles but you'll want to have a level 2 charger at home."
Some replies, however, focused on practical ownership concerns tied to the rebuilt title.
One commenter advised, "Before you get too far, you should call your insurance agent with the VIN and get a quote, to make sure that insuring a vehicle with the rebuilt title won't be an issue."
A third user said, "This seems like a no brainer. A Bolt will save you money on fuel and maintenance. A lot!"
More background
As a work car for local deliveries, the Bolt does appear to have some advantages. In heavy stop-and-go driving, regenerative braking can recover energy and may also cut down on brake wear.
But downsides came up in the thread too. One commenter described the suspension as adequate rather than outstanding, and several pointed out that using heat and defrost in winter can take a bite out of the range.
One conclusion from the thread was that home charging would be key. For a work vehicle covering that many miles every day, a Level 2 charger or 240-volt setup would make overnight charging far more realistic.
But the confidence from some commenters was straightforward. One commenter wrote, "I'd def get one. 100% reliable."
Where can I learn more?
Stories about everyday EV ownership can help contextualize questions like OP's.
• Many EV owners say 275 miles is enough and home charging shapes the next purchase.
• Common sticker-shock worries linger even as myths about EV costs keep falling apart.
• Drivers weighing a first EV often hear heaps of praise from owners living with one.
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