It was slightly befuddling when General Motors announced that the first-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV would be dying out in 2023. The compact electric hatchback was one of the only affordable EVs on the market, and its buy-rate of 23,164 units in 2023 indicated it was popular enough to justify its existence. Sure, a spat of fires had dented its reputation, but the Bolt EV had good, affordable bones.
Shortly after its untimely death, GM CEO Mary Barra assured the public that the Bolt would return with Ultium underpinnings, hinting at the fact that the Bolt's lack of streamlined EV conformity contributed to its end. Now, the time for the revival of the Chevrolet Bolt has come: on Wednesday, GM posted some teaser images of its revamped affordable EV.
"From its market introduction in 2017, the Chevrolet Bolt changed the game as the first long-range, mass-produced EV available to customers at a truly affordable price. Production ended in December 2023. But by popular demand, GM is bringing it back for the 2027 model year," the release reads.
Spy shots of the prototype that surfaced recently naturally revealed more than the strategic teaser photos, but both sets of images reveal a pleasant design surprise: as far as we can tell, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt shares a space frame, roof, and windshield with the previous generation Bolt. That's generally good news, as the late Bolt EV and its EUV sibling were handsome enough for the hatchback segment. GM did admit to adding a new front fascia and tail light, but we suspect the majority of the changes are mechanical.
A North American Charging System port will be standard, GM confirmed, but the bigger news comes via a report by MotorTrend: allegedly, the incoming Bolt EV will feature lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries, a significant upgrade from the first-generation cells. Not only will these cells be more efficient, as GM reportedly targets 300 miles of range, but it will help make the Bolt EV more affordable. Other expected improvements include faster DC charging speeds and time, which would be a much needed improvement of the previous top charging speed of 50 kW.
Given it will arrive for model year 2027, the revived Bolt EV should hit dealerships by the fall of 2026. GM has yet to reveal pricing details or production plans, but the automaker did confirm the Bolt EV will be built at GM's Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City. Concerted efforts from Volvo, Tesla, Kia, and even Chevrolet itself indicate offering a sub-$35,000 EV continues to be a balancing act of development costs and consumer expectation. So, if Chevy can truly deliver a 300-mile range, $30,000 Bolt EV, the potential for a strong adoption rate is high.
You Might Also Like
Comments