Because the race to launch low-cost electrical fashions heats up, GM believes it has the reply. GM’s new North American president mentioned the upcoming next-gen Chevy Bolt EV might be “essentially the most reasonably priced automobile in the marketplace by 2025.”
If you happen to had been disenchanted to be taught GM was phasing out the enduring little Chevy Bolt EV, you weren’t alone.
After robust suggestions, GM CEO Mary Barra confirmed a next-gen Bolt EV based mostly on its Ultium platform was within the works. Barra mentioned the Ultium-based Bolt can have “an excellent higher driving, charging, and possession expertise.”
GM’s CEO additionally talked about the brand new Bolt would be the firm’s first Ultium mannequin to make use of LFP batteries, which can assist maintain costs low.
With Bolt manufacturing ending final December, GM appears to get its hottest EV again in the marketplace in 2025 to fulfill the necessity for lower-cost EVs. With the Bolt accounting for over 82% (+62K fashions offered) of GM’s EV gross sales final yr, the electrical automobile stays a key piece of GM’s technique.
Will the brand new Chevy Bolt be essentially the most reasonably priced EV?
In a latest interview with Automotive Information, Marissa West, who took over as GM’s North American president in January, mentioned the corporate is ” actually excited” to get the Bolt again in the marketplace.
In response to West, the Ultium-based Chevy Bolt is predicted to be essentially the most reasonably priced EV within the US when it launches subsequent yr.
West defined, “We’re actually excited to get the Bolt with the Ultium structure underpinnings to have essentially the most reasonably priced automobile in the marketplace by 2025.”
GM is “going to construct on the momentum” it constructed with the Bolt. Underpinned by its Ultium platform, the Bolt might be “higher than ever.” West added, “It would have nice styling, it’ll have nice vary, actually good charging time.”
Within the meantime, GM is launching a sequence of latest electrical fashions, together with the brand new Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs, all based mostly on the Ultium platform.
West mentioned the Chevy Equinox EV is one other “very vital” piece of GM’s technique to supply EVs for everybody.
Chevy Equinox EV (see our first drive right here) deliveries kicked off earlier this month. Nonetheless, the bottom $34,995 1LT mannequin gained’t be obtainable to order till later this yr.
With the $7,500 EV tax credit score, the present Equinox 2LT could be purchased for as little as $35,795. As soon as it hits the market, the 1LT mannequin might be purchased for probably as little as $27,495.
GM has but to specify pricing for the brand new Chevy Bolt EV, however it’s going to have to be cheaper than that to be “essentially the most reasonably priced” in the marketplace.
Together with reductions, essentially the most reasonably priced EVs within the US in Q1 2024 had been the Nissan LEAF ($27,956) and Nissan Ariya ($35,556). Hyundai’s IONIQ 6 was third ($36,506), adopted by the Tesla Mannequin 3 ($40,547).
In the meantime, a number of automakers, together with Ford, Kia, Jeep, and others are promising low-cost EV fashions coming quickly. Different reasonably priced EVs, just like the Volvo EX30, beginning at $34,950, is predicted to hit US showrooms this summer time.
