GM Ending Production of Chevy Bolt, Its First Mass-Market EV
One of the ‘most affordable’ EVs on the market, the Bolt was plagued by battery fires that led to a complete model recall
General Motors is officially ending production of its electric Chevrolet Bolt, CEO Mary Barra told investors in an earnings call Tuesday.
Introduced in 2017, the Bolt was the ‘most affordable’ electric vehicle on the market, with a current starting price of $26,500. It was also one of only 11 models to qualify for the recently overhauled EV tax credit.
“When the Chevrolet Bolt EV launched, it was a huge technical achievement and the first affordable EV, which set in motion GM’s all-electric future,” spokesperson Cody Williams said in a statement, adding that the company will “continue to grow its EV portfolio.”
Production on both the Chevy Bolt EV and the larger EUV will wrap by the end of 2023, Williams said. The Michigan plant where the cars have been manufactured will start producing electric Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks in 2024.
The Chevy Blazer EV, a midsize SUV that will start at $44,995 and offer up to 320 miles of range, is expected in July. The Equinox EV, with 300 miles of range and a sticker price of around $30,000, is also expected later this year.
GM debuted the Bolt ahead of the Tesla Model 3, making it the first battery electric vehicle on the market for under $50,000 with a range of more than 200 miles. But reports from 2016 indicate the company expected to lose as much as $9,000 per car in order to be a market leader.
After accounts of its LG battery pack spontaneously catching fire, the Bolt was subject to a complete recall, and production was halted for the better part of a year.
In 2021, GM advised owners to park outdoors — and at least 50 feet away from other vehicles — “in the rare event of a potential fire.” (They were also discouraged from leaving Bolt EVs unattended while charging.)
The next generation of GM electric vehicles will utilize the company’s new Ultium battery, Williams said.
See more here cnet.com
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Tom
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A huge achievement…a flaming inferno on wheels.
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Howdy
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“In 2021, GM advised owners to park outdoors — and at least 50 feet away from other vehicles — “in
One has to wonder why so cheap?
“In 2021, GM advised owners to park outdoors — and at least 50 feet away from other vehicles — “in the rare event of a potential fire.” (They were also discouraged from leaving Bolt EVs unattended while charging.)”
Such dangerous objects should not be available for public sale. Were it an incendiary bomb with a loose trigger, it would be immediately acted on. Then again, isn’t that what this is?
New batteries mean nothing if lessons were not learned from the initial problem.
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John Thomas Bakkila
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Surely you mean the Chevy “VOLT”…
I was born in Detroit and grew up in the town that’s home to one of GM’s largest proving grounds…
I think I’m right, so you might want to check…
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Size
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“ the first battery electric vehicle on the market for under $50,000 with a range of more than 200 miles”.
This century, you mean. There were cheaper electric cars on the market, with greater range, over 100 years ago.
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Dave
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EVs, Unsafe at any speed!
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