A YouTuber known as “Quigs Quest” has set out on an 8,000-mile road trip from Michigan to the Arctic Ocean in a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, an early-generation electric vehicle with a relatively short driving range and slow charging speeds compared with modern EVs.
The car originally carried an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles but now reaches about 260 miles after receiving a replacement battery under a recall program.
While adequate for daily use, the range poses a challenge for crossing regions with limited charging infrastructure, particularly in remote stretches between the U.S. Midwest and northern Canada.
“In a Bolt, it’s a hell of a lot slower, but it still works,” the driver said, acknowledging that planning and patience will be key to completing the trip.
To prepare for the long journey, Quigs is converting the back of the vehicle into a compact camper, highlighting the potential for small EVs to support minimalist travel.
The trip will document how an older, compact electric vehicle handles extended travel through charging deserts, offering a real-world test of the technology’s resilience and practicality far from major charging networks.
