General Motors CEO Mary Barra has confirmed that a next-generation Chevrolet Bolt is currently in development. This news comes as a relief to fans of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) who have been eagerly awaiting the continuation of this popular model. Barra revealed that the upcoming Bolt EV will be built upon GM’s innovative Ultium battery and drive technology, ensuring that it continues to meet customers’ expectations in terms of affordability, range, and technology.
The current Bolt has been a hit with customers, achieving record sales and receiving high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty. It has also been an essential source of conquest sales for both General Motors and the Chevrolet brand. Barra emphasized that the company intends to maintain the momentum of the Bolt’s success by delivering the new generation model more swiftly and efficiently than developing an entirely new vehicle. This approach will lead to lower engineering expenses and capital investment. Barra further elaborated on this strategy, stating, “We will execute it more quickly compared to an all-new program with significantly lower engineering expense and capital investment by updating the vehicle with Ultium and Ultifi technologies and by applying our ‘winning with simplicity’ discipline.”
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The incorporation of various Ultium and Ultifi technological advancements is expected to expedite the return of the beloved model. However, General Motors has not yet disclosed a specific launch timetable, with further details regarding the next-gen Bolt set to be announced at a later date.
While the automaker did not reveal whether the future Bolt will retain the two body styles available in the current model (hatchback and crossover), they did release a teaser photo of the next-gen Bolt’s tailgate. This image showcases the new badge for the nameplate, featuring stylized lettering with a lightning bolt integrated into the letter “O.” Observations from the photo suggest that the next Bolt will sport lower-set horizontal taillights at the rear.
The forthcoming Chevrolet Bolt will join General Motors’ expanding lineup of all-electric vehicles, which includes three other models set to launch this year: the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV.
This official confirmation of the next-generation Chevy Bolt follows GM CEO Mary Barra’s previous hint about the return of the Bolt entry-level EV on NPR’s Marketplace podcast. While she refrained from providing further details about the upcoming model, she acknowledged the Bolt’s importance in the brand’s portfolio and the loyalty it has garnered among consumers.
Barra also highlighted the advantages of the Ultium platform, stating that it brings a remarkable 40 percent reduction in battery costs compared to the second-generation battery used in the current Bolt EV and EUV. This cost reduction could potentially result in a starting MSRP for the next Bolt well below $30,000, making it an even more affordable option compared to the Equinox EV, which is anticipated to start at around $30,000.
