South Dakota resident sues GM over Chevy Bolt cold-weather range

The Bolt allegedly loses 100 miles of range in the bitter cold.

General Motors is reportedly fighting a lawsuit filed by a South Dakota resident who claims the company misrepresented the Chevrolet Bolt's range in cold weather.

The lawsuit argues that the Bolt's range is slashed by 100 miles from its stated EPA-estimated range of 238 miles when operating in the cold winter months, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The effects of cold ambient temperature on lithium-ion battery performance are no secret, though automakers may not publish detailed information regarding the performance reductions.

"At no time during his purchase did GMC make him aware that the project [sic] mileage was not accurate, and as a purchaser living in South Dakota - where the lower temperature average is below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for six out of the 12 calendar months," the lawsuit claims.

GM's lawyers have pushed to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that its allegations are "nonsensical" and claiming that the automaker repeatedly discloses that the vehicles "actual range may vary based on several factors including temperature" in the Bolt's literature.

"For example, on the Chevy Bolt's website, the language appears as a disclaimer that appears when a visitor clicks on any reference to charge or vehicle range," the response adds.

At one point, Tesla offered a calculator that indicated a range reduction of more than 100 miles for vehicles operating in the coldest weather with the cabin heater turned on. The estimator tool appears to have been removed from the company's website, however.