Possible Future Chevrolet Bolt family illustrations.
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We first heard of a “Bolt Family” last year, back when GM was mentioning reviving the Chevrolet Bolt after canceling it in 2023.
The canceling move was weird, especially at a moment when the Bolt was getting more popular than ever. It took GM about 2 years to bring the Chevrolet Bolt back. And it’s a refreshed version of the previous model, with new batteries and a charging system. A much improved EV, but hardly a new one.
Now we are hearing again about a whole “family” of new affordable EVs coming soon. Notice GM is not mentioning a “Bolt family” anymore. Which could be due to a last-minute change of names for the new models.
GM’s president, Mark Reuss, is now saying, “What comes after this, whether it’s called a Bolt or not, will be a family of things that is low-priced. They will be in the same vein of size and price.
That clearly means a few new EV models starting at under $30,000, just like the Bolt. And they will not be called “Bolt”. It seems GM is clearly on a similar path than Ford with its new “low-cost” EV platform. The 1st new model from Ford will be some sort of a pickup. Or a re-invention of a modern electric pickup. It is logical to guess that GM will offer something similar.
Another small affordable electric pickup starting at under $30,000 could eventually kill the Slate pickup that was “introduced” a few months ago. The Amazon-backed start-up was counting on its “sub-$30,000 base price to offer something no one else offers yet.” However, soon, both Ford and Chevrolet will offer something at this price. Something a bit larger, much better equipped (the Slate comes with basically nothing). And something from a “real” car manufacturer, not a brand-new start-up that could very well end up like Fisker within a few months.
I think this is all good news. A series of sub-$30,000 new cars is really what we need more of.
I like these!
I think my ideal Chevy Bolt family would be… A Bolt Honda Element, a Bolt Mazda5 small lifted minivan thing but off roady like an ultimate ski EV, and a square as heck basic sedan that’s retro but in a blank canvas sense.
Hello Vince – here’s a new one I’ve not seen before – https://www.dacora.com/
Dacora !
With all of the cost pressures going on worldwide right now, I have my doubts that GM and Ford will actually be able to meet a $30,000 price target with these. (But I certainly hope that they can).
I have zero hope for a $30k starting price for a new Bolt in, what, 2028, 2029? GM couldn’t stick the $30k price in 2024 for the Equinox EV. How will they do it in the future? There are barely any gas vehicles under $25k today, so a $30k EV in the future seems unlikely.