The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the hero of the hour – reviewers who checked out the production version at the recent Consumer Electronics Show were impressed, and pundits have been hailing it as the EV that could finally break into the mainstream.

But one part of the picture seems to be missing. Many believe that a more extensive public charging network – especially DC fast charging – is one of the keys to increasing EV sales, and most EV-makers, including Nissan, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Tesla, have been investing in charging infrastructure.

Does GM plan to follow suit, perhaps announcing a partnership with one or more network operators to roll out some new CCS charging stations as the Bolt goes on sale later this year? After all, GM does plan to offer an optional CCS quick-charging port for the Bolt.

“We are not actively working on providing infrastructure,” CEO Mary Barra recently told Green Car Reports.

“We believe all our customers should benefit from any infrastructure spending,” said Executive Chief Engineer for Electrified Vehicles Pam Fletcher.

With its range and price hitting what have long been considered the “magic numbers,” the Bolt EV has the potential to be an automotive milestone. But, as we’ve seen over the past few years, just producing a great EV isn’t enough. If GM doesn’t follow through with infrastructure investment, a marketing push and a new way of doing business at the dealership level, the Bolt could go down in history as just another compliance car.

Source: Green Car Reports