GM – together with its earnings announcement this morning – additionally introduced the tip of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV with the final automobiles rolling off the Orion meeting line “late this 12 months”. This marks the tip of the Bolt EV as essentially the most reasonably priced/succesful EV within the US market and a pioneering electrification milestone.
The information was anticipated because the Chevy Equinox and its ~$30,000 beginning value is predicted within the Fall, largely taking the place of the small footprint CUV phase. The Equinox and Blazer SS, due this summer season, are based mostly on GM’s Ultium platform and this may section out the Bolt’s older battery/motor drivetrain system.
A Chevy Spokesperson stated:
When the Chevrolet Bolt EV launched, it was an enormous technical achievement and the primary reasonably priced EV, which set in movement GM’s all-electric future. As the corporate continues to develop it’s EV portfolio with the Ultium platform, and as development continues on the Orion Township, MI, meeting plant in preparation for battery electrical truck manufacturing starting in 2024, Chevrolet confirmed Bolt EV and EUV manufacturing will finish late this 12 months. Chevrolet will launch a number of new EVs later this 12 months based mostly on the Ultium platform in key segments, together with the Silverado EV, Blazer EV and Equinox EV.
The Bolt was the very best US promoting non-Tesla EV within the first quarter with virtually 20,000 offered. Chevy sellers are seeing very lengthy strains for the automobile, typically reaching till the tip of the 12 months when GM will stop manufacturing.
GM stated that 75% of Bolt house owners have been new to GM, the very best conquest fee for any of its automobiles. On the identical time, Bolt house owners are among the many happiest with 80% saying they’d purchase one other Chevy.
The Bolt is coming off its finest promoting 12 months and quarter ever with GM unable to fill demand.
Report manufacturing of 70,000+ Bolt EV and EUV fashions is predicted this 12 months, in keeping with GM’s plan to provide 50,000 EVs within the first half of 2023 and double that within the second half of the 12 months.
Present Chevy Bolt house owners together with myself acquired an electronic mail from GM this morning:
Seth, thanks for being a Chevrolet Bolt EV proprietor. We respect that you simply entrusted us together with your electrical automobile buy expertise. Since you are so essential to us, we wish to convey you firsthand information that we’ll not be producing the Bolt EV and EUV after the tip of the 12 months. Relaxation assured, that every one the help that you’ve got come to count on together with your Bolt EUV will proceed despite the fact that we’re ending manufacturing of this automobile. And if you’re inquisitive about buying a brand new 2023 mannequin, you continue to can achieve this.
Electrek’s Take
All of us knew this was coming – and with the Equinox sitting proper throughout from the Bolt at commerce exhibits wanting remarkably comparable in dimension – we just about knew the when as nicely. The Equinox is wider and could have a lot sooner charging, extra vary/choices, AWD and a extra trendy inside. It would additionally embody options like V2L that GM by no means would take into account on the Bolt.
However it is a huge second nonetheless. The Chevy Bolt in 2017 beat Tesla’s Mannequin 3 to be the primary lengthy vary, low price electrical automobile in manufacturing. GM, after all, screwed the pooch in not making sufficient of them, not getting Supplier buy-in after which after all messing up the comparatively small battery hearth messaging, making the Bolt into the “Pinto” of EV battery hearth points.
The Bolt additionally suffered from some engineering mis-steps. In 2017 when it was launched, its 54kW charging velocity was affordable (and really sooner than many of the 50kW chargers on the market and only a bit slower than Tesla’s charging speeds). However 7 years later, GM didn’t improve the charging velocity in any respect, making the Bolt a pariah at DC quick charging stations and extra of an ‘round city’ type of automobile, solely good for very occasional lengthy journeys.
However the Bolt is an extremely succesful EV and could be very protected and feature-rich in its present iterations. The Bolt acquired 5 star NHTSA security rankings whilst a comparatively small automobile. At a beginning value of $25,600, earlier than incentives, additionally it is essentially the most reasonably priced, absolutely succesful EV and was named Electrek’s EV of the 12 months final 12 months due to that.
Anecdotally, I personal a Bolt EV and a pair of older Teslas and my spouse and I struggle over who will get to take the Bolt each morning. It’s a pleasure to drive, has nice Wi-fi CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, nice sound system, nice visibility, fast pickup and sensible dealing with.
So, if I’m ready for a Chevy Bolt or a Chevy Bolt proprietor (I’m), do I panic right here?
No! (No one panic!)
The present batteries are warranted for a minimum of eight years and can probably final many, many extra. Chevy shall be stocking elements for the Bolt into the following decade. There are a ton of 2017 Bolts operating round nonetheless making their drivers completely satisfied. Heck, the Bolt has CarPlay and Android Auto, which GM’s subsequent gen automobiles aren’t assured to have so perhaps that is nonetheless the GM EV to get in 2023.
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