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The Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) on the market. However, even with a wallet-friendly starting price, the Chevrolet EV just can’t dethrone some pricier rivals, like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

The Chevrolet Bolt EV might be cheaper than Tesla’s lineup, but EV fans still prefer the Model 3

A light blue Chevrolet Bolt EV shows off its side profile.
Bolt EV | General Motors

According to the latest used car popularity data from iSeeCars, the Chevrolet Bolt EV took the No. 3 spot in the segment. Specifically, the Bolt had a 6.9% share of all one-to-five-year-old used EVs in the American market. It’s good news for Chevrolet’s budget-friendly electric car; the Bolt EV enjoyed a 0.7% increase from 2022 to 2023. 

Make and model% of used EV sales (2023)% of used EV sales (2022)
Tesla Model 334.9%40.0%
Tesla Model Y11.9%10.3%
Chevrolet Bolt EV6.9%6.2%
Nissan LEAF6.2%6.7%
Tesla Model S5.6%9.8%

Better yet, the Bolt EV rose from the segment’s No. 6 spot in 2022 to No. 3 in 2023. That’s impressive coming from a model that General Motors discontinued in 2023 just to resurrect less than a year later. 

However, even with the increased share of overall used EV sales year-over-year, the Chevrolet Bolt EV and its hiked-up variant, the Bolt EUV, are considerably behind Tesla’s most popular nameplate: the Model 3. The diminutive Tesla electric car has a staggering 34.9% of the used EV market. That’s 34.9% of the entire American one-to-five-year-old EV market. 

Still, even though the entry-level Tesla took the No. 1 spot in 2023 and 2023, it lost a sizable market share year-over-year. The Model 3 made up 40% of used EV sales in 2022, 5.1% more than its 2023 performance. It lost nearly as much of its market share in one year as the Model S sold altogether in 2023.

Of course, even with a decreased percentage of all used EV sales, the Model 3 has a dominant segment lead. In fact, the little Tesla electric car outsold its SUV sibling, the Model Y, by 23%. That, and it outsold the Chevrolet Bolt EV by an impressive 28%

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Source: iSeeCars

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Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).