The Chevrolet Bolt took the crown in MotorTrends 2017 Car of the Year competition, and at the time, it certainly deserved it, but does the new 2020 model still stand strong among the vast electric vehicle landscape that has grown since then? New EV models from brands such as Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan are all notable arrivals that have become fierce competitors to the Bolt. So the question stands, has the groundbreaking Bolt stood the test of time, or has it lost its luster? MotorTrend set out to answer that question in their recent article, 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Review: Checking in With Our Former Car of the Year.

For the 2020 model year, MotorTrend points out that Chevy improved the Bolt’s battery to squeeze an extra 21 miles of range, making its new estimated range 259 miles and highly competitive against its new rivals. The Bolt also recharges at a rate of 4 mph with a 120V plug, and about 10 hours with a 240V home charger, as well as about 100 miles in 30 minutes using a DC fast charging station. The 2020 models provide a healthy 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, similar to earlier versions of the Bolt. However, at the track, a 2020 Bolt ran from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which came in third place out of its other competitors highlighted in the article, after the Tesla Model 3 and Kia Niro EV.

As far as the Bolt interior, MotorTrend was able to find plenty of things they liked about it. The low placement of the windshield and side windows allow the cabin to feel more open than a small hatchback should, while also providing excellent visibility. The best part, however, is the technology. With two digital screens and intuitive controls, the Bolt has an advantage over rivals when it comes to interior technology. The trunk of the Bolt is smaller than that of rivals, but fold down the rear seats and cargo space expands to 56.6 cubic feet, more space than all rivals listed in the article. It also has plenty of room for passengers, with 36.5 inches of rear legroom, it offers more room than most competitors.

So, is it worth it? It has a reasonable entry price of $37,495, zippy performance, and practical range make a strong case for the Bolt EV. One judge from MotorTrend summed up the Bolt with, “It is not just a great electric vehicle but also a great commuter vehicle in every respect. … Well done, GM. You are now the leader.”

Check out the full article here at MotorTrend: https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/bolt-ev/2020/2020-chevrolet-bolt-first-test-review/

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If you, like many other Americans, are stuck working from home, or have kids who are now required to attend online schooling from home, you are probably pretty tired of it by now. There are distractions everywhere, there is a lack of change in your environment, and it is hard to get into a good routine. Thankfully, the American Academy of Pediatrics has written a short article with tips on how to help you cope with this new normal until the virus is under control.

Some of the most important points highlighted in this article are ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 while staying at home. As tempting as it may be, do not allow your children to attend playdates or sleepovers, as social distancing only works when everyone participates. Now is not the time to visit grandparents or ask them to help out with child care duties. Keep up communication with them through phone calls, texting, or video chats.

This article also emphasizes the importance of keeping a solid routine. Sit down with your kids and chat with them about creating a daily structured routine that can be hung on the refrigerator or somewhere you can see it daily. It is important to include breaks from work to relax and connect with each other. The article provides some good ideas for tasks to add to your daily routine, check them out here. Lastly, try not to have the news on all or every day, as this can lead to added stress and anxiety for everyone.

The article wraps up with talking about screen time for children and adults during times of working or learning from home. It is important to realize that average screen time for everyone is likely to increase during the pandemic, however they provide tips and ways to keep media use positive and helpful for everyone.

In conclusion, staying home and other social distancing recommendations may feel like an inconvenience, but it’s the best way right now to protect people who are vulnerable against the virus.

Read the full article here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Working-and-Learning-from-Home-COVID-19.aspx

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Even with reopenings, many people are still choosing to avoid the gym due to the COVID-19 pandemic which is still ongoing. This has left many with questions such as, how do you set up an effective home workout? What do you do if you don’t have much equipment or space? The following article will discuss a variety of options to choose from to maximize your at-home workout and help you stay in shape during these uncertain times!

According to Verywell Fit’s ‘How to Exercise at Home During Coronavirus Outbreak’ article, the simplest way to work out at home is to use the weight of your own body! This article provides a list of effective body weight exercises that will help you build strength, endurance, and burn calories. Circuit training, the process of going from one exercise to the next with little to no break time, can also help here to get the most out of your exercise time.

Another popular way to exercise from home is to follow the abundance of exercise videos found online or available for purchase. The best thing about exercise videos is that there are thousands to choose from, so almost anyone can find one they like based on their age,, goals, and interests. Verywell Fit’s article does a good job of providing some of their favorite online exercise videos which you can find here.

The internet is also a great place to find workout and home gym ideas and resources. Many websites offer free and paid workout and exercise programs you can use yourself or follow along to. You’ll find workouts you can print, view online, or even stream to your computer, phone, or iPad. There has also been an increase in video games that you can workout along to that can make the idea of working out more enjoyable, such as the Wii Fit.

To learn more about the best ways to take advantage of your at home workouts during the pandemic, check out the full Verywell Fit article here: https://www.verywellfit.com/best-ways-to-exercise-at-home-1231142

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If you weren’t already aware, Chevrolet is set to release a new Camaro in the near future, and with it an all new design package titled Wild Cherry. This tint is new to the Camaro’s exterior color palette for 2021, and will be replacing the previous Garnet Red paint option. The Wild Cherry design package will come in two different levels. Package level 1 will be for the LT and LZ Camaro trims, which includes special forged aluminum wheels in a polished finish with Camaro shield emblem center caps, black metallic hash mark stripes on the fenders, Camaro fender badges, and Camaro floor mats with silver edging, all for an extra $2,145.

Package level 2 will be for the 2LT, 3LT, and 2SS Camaro trims, which adds unique ground effects, a center stripe in black or silver, a carbon-fiber insert for the fuel door, and black suede interior trim to the first package’s equipment list, for an extra $5,595. The two packages will be available for both coupe and convertible models painted in the new Wild Cherry shade of red. Unfortunately, the only two 2021 Camaros that won’t have the option to add the Wild Cherry design package appear to be the base Camaro 1LS and the 650 horsepower ZL1. Be on the lookout for these new Camaro design packages with the release of the new model year.

The all-new 2021 Camaro will be available for pre-order later this year. If you’d like to sign up for the waiting list to pre-order with Maritime Chevrolet, please click here.

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Do you care about the safety of yourself and others when driving your car? Do you want your car to run as smoothly as possible when driving it? Are you planning on taking a road trip with your car in the near future? If you answered yes to any of the following questions, then you probably want to review the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s article on safety tips for this summer, found here.

Some of the most important takeaways from this article include that vehicular heatstroke is one of main causes of death in children that adults don’t think about. Just last year, a total of 52 children died from vehicular heatstroke, one of the highest numbers in the last 20 years. This year we are already at 15. Another main cause of deaths/injuries among children is backovers. Always make sure to give your vehicle a walkaround before backing out to check for any children/pets/objects that might not appear on your car’s backup camera.

Always ensure that you have an emergency road kit with the necessary contents with you inside your vehicle when traveling. Before you embark on your journey, don’t forget to know your car inside and out, and plan your route accordingly. The article provides an in-depth vehicle safety checklist that is always smart to go over before your trip. Last, but certainly not least, stay alert on the road and avoid risky behaviors such as texting and driving and always drive sober!

For more information on summer driving safety tips from the NHTSA, read the full article here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips

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By adding over 2,700 fast charging stations over the next five years, GM & EVgo will more than triple the size of the fast charging network nationwide, a move that will hope to help accelerate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. These fast charging stations will be added to cities and suburbs lacking them, which will unlock new EV customer segments and increase charging access to customers living in multi-unit homes or renting homes that can’t install chargers. “We know how important the charging ecosystem is for drivers, one that includes access to convenient and reliable public fast charging. Our relationship with EVgo will bolster the public fast charging network available to EV customers ahead of increased market demand and reinforce our commitment to an all-electric, zero-emissions future”, says GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra.

The new EVgo fast charging stations will be available to customers starting early 2021. They will be located in highly visible areas and most will be able to charge up to four vehicles at a time. In their new commitment to reaching a zero-emissions future, the new EVgo fast chargers will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Both GM and EVgo have made significant investments into renewable energy, with GM committing all U.S. plants to run on renewable energy by 2030 and all global plants running on it by 2040. In 2019, EVgo became the first charging company in North America to contract for 100 percent renewable energy to power its chargers.

Both companies designed this new endeavor to leverage new and existing public-private programs to facilitate the acceleration of the EV charging infrastructure to support EV adoption. As time goes on, we will start to see more car companies get into the electric vehicle market, and hopefully more consumers will make the switch thanks to the efforts of GM & EVgo.

To learn more about this ongoing project, click here: https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2020/jul/0731-evgo.html

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If you haven’t already heard, Chevrolet is introducing the 2021 Tahoe, with a bigger, more spacious cabin, better ride and handling, and a commanding presence that’s impossible to ignore, and the 2021 Suburban, with more passenger space, more comfortable ride and handling and more ways to make sure your vehicle is tailored to your life, set to release mid-2020. As stated by executive VP and President of GM North America Barry Engle, “We’ve taken what people love about these pioneering SUVs and made them even better – adding more room for people and cargo, more advanced technology and an unrivaled driving experience.”

New features for these two vehicles include 66% more cargo room behind the third row for the Tahoe, and 19% more maximum cargo space behind the first row for the Suburban – both best in class. They include dramatically improved driving dynamics, with an independent rear suspension paired with available Magnetic Ride Control and first-in-class Air Ride Adaptive Suspension. They also both offer an entirely new SUV-specific interior offering up to 5 display screens in total as well as thirty safety and driver convenience features.

Maritime Chevrolet will be deploying a new “Travelling Test Drive” program with the release of the new 2021 Tahoe & Suburban. With this program, customers will be able to request for an all new 2021 Tahoe or Suburban to be delivered to their home or work, where they can test drive it and get a demonstration about the vehicle’s features before purchasing. So sit back, relax, and let us come to you with the new “Travelling Test Drive” campaign, only at Maritime Chevrolet. It’s never been easier to buy a new car!

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The lazy days of summer do not give you permission to neglect your vehicle. In fact, after a long, harsh winter and tumultuous spring, your car desperately needs your attention to get ready to handle summer’s unique challenges of sun and heat as well as the demands of summer travel.

According to AutoTrader.com writer Colin Ryan, the car maintenance tips below will help you and your car get ready for the open road quicker than you can say flip-flop.

Keep it clean

A dirty windshield can compromise visibility when the sun hits it, so you should regularly clean your windshield as well as the entire car. Nothing beats up a car’s paintjob than hot sun rays, and the yuck from birds and insects will damage your vehicle’s exterior, too. After a thorough washing, a good-quality wax will help your car sparkle even more in the sun.

Stock summer essentials

Road trips and summer are best friends, so make sure your vehicle is stocked with summer essentials like water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, entertainment for the children, phone and tablet chargers, weather information, an emergency triangle, small tool kit and flashlight. A sunshade for the dash and/or shades for the rear windows will help keep the interior a little cooler in between activities.

Number one on the road trip list, though, is a full check-up from an automotive professional especially if your car is due for a scheduled service or if your brakes seem iffy. If your serpentine belt shows signs of wear, cracks or gives up completely, add this fix to your service appointment.

Kick the tires

Tires should be on your radar all year long, but especially in summer make sure your tires are properly inflated, are not showing uneven wear or cracks and the tread is at the right depth. It’s also a good time to check the condition of the spare.

Check the air

Your car air filter takes a beating from the weather, and summer is a great opportunity to check its condition, clean it or replace it if necessary. Same goes for your windshield wipers—after surviving April’s showers, your wipers are probably due to be replaced.

Keep it cool

The last thing you probably worried about this winter and spring was the working order of your car’s air conditioning. But summer heats up fast, and if your air conditioner is lacking in cooling power, it’s time for a check-up; it might have a leak which definitely requires the expertise of a mechanic. While thinking cool thoughts, take a second to check the coolant reservoir and how your car’s hoses are holding up—if they feel soft, it’s time for a change or fix.

Test levels

Make sure your car‘s fluids are at the right levels—windshield-washer, power-steering, brake and oil fluids are constantly being drained, and without the correct amount, your car is at risk for damage.

By performing these suggested maintenance tips on your car, you will be on the right path for a summer of fun.

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As the coronavirus continues to spread across the country far and wide, sports fans are getting closer and closer to their favorite leagues seasons starting back up again. With many schedules set to begin within the next couple months, many are wondering exactly how sports will return and what the new “normal” will look like. According to an article from ESPN, it looks like many leagues will host games without fans as a way to combat the spread of the virus. As strange and unfortunate as this sounds, I’m sure many fans are just excited to be able to tune into a live game on TV from the safety and comfort of their homes.

Some of the most popular leagues such as the MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL are highlighted at the beginning of this article. The MLB is set to reopen July 23, with the plan to host games in their own ballparks. The NFL is set to reopen regular season on September 10, with team facilities already open. The NBA is set to reopen its season on July 30, with all 22 teams playing and practicing at the Disney Sports Complex near Orlando. Lastly, the NHL is set to reopen training camps on July 13, with games set to begin August 1.

In these strange times, there are no straightforward answers. For most die-hard fans however, watching their favorite teams and players on TV is surely better than nothing at all. For more information about the rest of the sports leagues reopening, check out the article here: https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/29011029/coronavirus-impacted-schedules

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Exploring the great outdoors is a wonderful thing to do now that it’s officially summer, but it’s a joy that brings with it the potential pain of ticks. Ticks lurk just off of trails and in fields, thriving on moisture and humidity and waiting for hosts to pass by. When bitten by one, you are at risk for a number of diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. To help avoid the scourge of ticks and the diseases they carry while avoiding the use of harmful chemicals, try these natural methods for tick protection.

Lycopersicon hirsutum

According to CDC.gov, the wild tomato plant, or Lycopersicon hirsutum, is a natural resource for the active ingredient 2-undecanone. The essential oil from the leaves and stems of the plant can be applied to skin, clothing and any gear being carried as a means to repel ticks. Applying up to 10 drops to your clothing or skin can help prevent attracting the attention of ticks.

Lavender

According to LiveStrong.com, lavender has tested favorably as a natural means to ward off ticks and prevent tick eggs from hatching. To get natural protection for yourself, utilize no more than 10 drops of lavender essential oil by mixing into the rinse when doing laundry, by spraying it on clothing and backpacks or by applying to skin.

Homemade vinegar-based repellent

OhSimply.com recommends another homemade concoction that scares ticks away. In a spray bottle, mix approximately two cups of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water and about 20 drops of a bath oil scent of your choice. Eucalyptus, citrus and peppermint are recommended for their strong smells, which not only serve to cover up the odor of vinegar, but also help repel ticks on their own. It is recommended that the mixture be reapplied about every four hours or so for maximum effect.

Neem seed oil

According to a study published at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, neem seed oil proves 100% effective at killing certain tick larvae within 27 hours. As with other essential oils, neem seed oil can be blended with vinegar and oil to be used as a spray to naturally repel ticks.

Treat your pets regularly

Even away from the outdoors, it is possible to have a tick latch onto you that has come into your home via your pet. Using natural remedies on your pets helps reduce your risk for getting ticks at home. CDC.com recommends consulting with your veterinarian to learn about your options for regular treatment of pets.

Awareness

Perhaps the simplest and most natural way to stay clear of ticks is to know how to truly avoid them. CDC.gov recommends that, when hiking or engaging in any outdoor activity, you avoid shrubs and leaf litter and stay as close to the center of a path as possible. At home, you can help make your yard tick-free by removing leaf litter, keeping the grass short, and laying wood chips or gravel between your lawn and any wooded area.

Ticks are not only disgusting to look at and painful once they’ve become attached, but the effects that they can leave on your body can be devastating. Keep yourself free of them by knowing where they might live and how to rid yourself of them quickly, and get back to enjoying the great outdoors once more.

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