Take a look at our newest merchandise
The favored Chevy Bolt electrical automobile (EV) is planning a comeback after taking just a few years off for a refresh. Though it wrapped up manufacturing on the finish of 2023, GM’s compact EV left such a powerful impression on drivers that its return feels inevitable and now official.
The Bolt carried GM’s EV gross sales for years due to its affordability and practicality, even when its ageing {hardware} held it again towards the tip. When GM introduced it was canceling the mannequin, prospects had been vocal of their frustration, and the corporate ultimately reversed course. Now, the Bolt is being reimagined for a brand new period, and it guarantees to be extra aggressive than ever.
The unique Bolt EV, which debuted in 2016, stood aside by focusing on on a regular basis drivers reasonably than luxurious consumers. It was by no means a flashy efficiency automobile; it was a compact, sensible hatchback that supplied a stable vary at a worth abnormal folks might afford. Its bigger sibling, the Bolt EUV, added area and crossover enchantment to broaden its viewers. Each had been powered by a 65-kWh battery pack, providing 259 miles for the EV and 247 miles for the EUV.
With offers bringing the fee all the way down to round $20,000 after incentives, the Bolt discovered a loyal fan base. The automobile’s sluggish 55-kW DC quick charging was outdated, and GM in the end phased it out, citing profitability points. Nonetheless, CEO Mary Barra acknowledged that the Bolt’s sturdy model recognition and buyer demand made its comeback the best name.
The following-generation Bolt will focus solely on the EUV physique fashion, reflecting Individuals’ shift towards crossovers and away from small hatchbacks. GM has confirmed that it gained’t be an all-new design, however a closely up to date model of the prevailing mannequin with the advantage of Ultium-based parts. By leveraging shared motors, batteries, and electronics from its broader EV lineup, GM can hold prices low whereas enhancing vary, security, and know-how. Options like Tremendous Cruise hands-free driving will assist align the Bolt with shopper expectations for contemporary EVs.
What’s significantly attention-grabbing is GM’s positioning of the Bolt as a “household” of reasonably priced EVs. The automaker has signaled that after the relaunch, extra Bolt-branded fashions will comply with, together with one priced beneath the roughly $30,000 entry level of the 2027 Bolt EUV. This method underscores GM’s dedication to providing EVs that mainstream consumers can realistically take into account, even because it develops premium fashions just like the Blazer EV and Silverado EV.
Whereas GM hasn’t revealed full specs, the following Bolt EUV will introduce a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, initially imported from CATL in China earlier than transitioning to home manufacturing by means of GM’s three way partnership with LG Vitality Resolution. LFP batteries usually supply decrease power density however are inexpensive and extra sturdy, making them well-suited for reasonably priced EVs. Early estimates counsel a variety of round 270 miles, sufficient to outpace the outgoing Bolt whereas remaining cost-conscious. Crucially, the brand new Bolt may even come normal with a NACS charging port.
Pricing stays one of the crucial anticipated particulars, however GM executives have hinted that the Bolt will keep near its predecessor’s sub-$30,000 positioning. At Investor Day, GM President Mark Reuss emphasised the corporate’s capacity to make the brand new Bolt worthwhile whereas retaining it reasonably priced, a balancing act that’s important for mass-market EV adoption.
Manufacturing is ready to start in late 2026 at GM’s Kansas plant, with the Bolt EUV launching as a 2027 mannequin. GM has already adjusted its manufacturing plans to account for a brief lower in demand as a result of lack of EV tax credit, choosing a extra measured rollout. Nonetheless, the timing positions the Bolt to compete towards a wave of latest reasonably priced EVs, together with the Kia EV3, Ford’s upcoming budget-friendly pickup, and different sub-$30,000 entries.
Chevy’s Bolt Named 2023 Fleet Automobile of the Yr, as Historic First EV To Win the Award
In 2023, the twentieth Annual Fleet Automobile of the Yr award witnessed a momentous event because the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt EV gained the distinguished title. That is the primary occasion the place an electrical automobile has gained this competitors, marking a pivotal milestone within the development of sustainable electrical fleet automobiles.
The compact dimensions of the Chevrolet Bolt EV make it a super alternative for supply fleets, necessitating straightforward navigation by means of busy metropolis streets and accommodating tight parking areas. In November 2022, Domino’s made a big announcement for EV adoption in fleets. The corporate acknowledged that it might be working the nation’s largest electrical pizza supply fleet, with over 1,100 Chevrolet Bolt EVs being launched throughout its numerous shops in North America.
The Bolt’s story has at all times been about accessibility. It wasn’t the quickest or flashiest EV, however it gave hundreds of drivers their first electrical expertise at a worth they might handle. Its comeback isn’t just a win for loyal followers, it’s a press release that reasonably priced EVs stay central to GM’s future. If the following Bolt EUV can ship on vary, tech, and charging whereas sticking near its budget-friendly roots, it has the potential to reclaim its spot because the folks’s EV and as soon as once more punch above its weight in a crowded area.
