Going against what we reported on last week for a less-expensive Blazer EV trim that’s forthcoming, Chevrolet’s plans for the new electric crossover have taken a turn, disappointing potential buyers who were hoping for a more affordable option. Initially, the automaker had promised a base 1LT trim priced below $45,000 when the crossover was unveiled. However, recent developments indicate that the 1LT trim has been completely shelved.
Chevy has decided to eliminate the base 1LT trim, and instead, focus on offering pricier versions of the smaller Equinox EV to fill the price gap. According to Automotive News, this decision was made to avoid overlapping in the market and provide clear positioning for their electric vehicles.
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As a result, the cheapest Blazer EV available this year will be the all-wheel-drive 2LT, starting at $56,715, including the destination charge. Although a cheaper front-wheel-drive version of the 2LT might become available later, it is expected to still be more expensive than the originally planned 1LT, with an estimated drop in price of $2,500 to $3,000.
The Equinox EV, which was previously promised to start around $30,000, will likely see its higher-end trims reaching close to $45,000, particularly the 3RS trim that is anticipated to have dual-motor capabilities producing up to 300 horsepower. The RS version of the Equinox EV will also feature sporty red accents in its interior.
While the Blazer EV boasts a unique feature of offering front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and all-wheel-drive configurations, the most powerful model, the 557-hp SS, has faced delays and is now expected to arrive in spring 2024. Given the higher prices seen in the lesser models, it is speculated that the Blazer EV SS might surpass $70,000 when it finally hits the market, placing it in the range of the premium Audi Q8 e-tron.
Unfortunately, this pattern of luring customers with appealing electric vehicle prices during the initial reveal and then launching them at higher MSRPs has become somewhat common across the automotive industry. Similar instances have been witnessed with models like the Silverado EV and the Tesla Cybertruck. Even the Ford F-150 Lightning, which initially offered a sub-$40k starting price, has seen significant price increases as traditional car manufacturers struggle to make their EVs profitable.
