Earlier this week, General Motors announced a bevy of battery-powered models in conjunction with the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, including highlights like the 2024 Chevy Silverado EV, Chevy Equinox EV, Chevy Blazer EV, and Cadillac InnerSpace AV concept. With GM ramping up to release 30 new EV models globally by 2025, the entirety of the GM portfolio is poised to go all-electric, at least in the longterm. Naturally, enthusiasts want to know – just how long will it be until Chevy makes the Corvette electric as well?
From the off, we should point out a few things, starting with the obvious differences between nameplates like the Chevy Silverado and Chevy Corvette. For starters, the Silverado is GM’s best-selling vehicle – period. It’s also Chevy’s best-selling vehicle, with the Chevy Corvette selling just a fraction of what the Silverado sells. For reference, Chevy sold 115,376 units of the Silverado in Q4 of 2021, and 8,293 units of the Chevy Corvette during the same time period.
Then there’s the strong internal-combustion heritage of the Corvette. For nearly the entirety of the nameplate’s existence, the Chevy Corvette has offered impressive power (the early C1 models are an obvious exception) and a loud exhaust, two characteristics that will be very difficult to unhitch with regard to enthusiasts’ expectations. Would a Corvette electric vehicle have the same sort of appeal? Likely not.
Nevertheless, it seems as though an electrified Corvette is inevitable at this point. GM is going EV, and it’ll have to bring the Vette along for the ride.
So, when should we expect a Corvette electric vehicle? Well, considering the GM vehicle lifecycle typically runs about six years, the ninth-generation C9 Chevy Corvette is due out in 2026. That could be the generation where the Vette finally goes pure EV, at least as an option.
In the meantime, the C8 Corvette is already pushing the nameplate towards battery power with two electrified models on the horizon, including the upcoming C8 E-Ray, which will mate the C8’s naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine with a hybrid electric system. The E-Ray will arrive as an indirect replacement for the Grand Sport, which won’t be part of the C8 lineup, thus slotting the E-Ray between the C8 Stingray and the new C8 Z06.
Then we have the C8 Corvette Zora, which will mate the twin-turbo 5.5L V8 LT7 from the C8 ZR1 with a new hybrid electric system, resulting in a world-churning 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque. Named after the “father” of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov, the new C8 Zora will slot in as the range-topper of the series.
While purists will undoubtedly rage at the though of a Corvette electric vehicle, the adrenaline factor will surely be on point, as evidenced by the seemingly unending rise in power levels and performance observed with subsequent eighth-generation C8 releases. However, will it be enough to win over those enthusiasts with gasoline flowing in their veins? That remains to be seen.
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I think the EV Corvette C8 will be the number one attraction at SEMA EXPO 2022 and from 2023 as MJ 2024 starting with a few vehicles and then generating 40% of the Corvette C8 units from 2025.
Why do I mean that?
Mrs. Mary Barra answered the question of the US President Mr. Joseph Biden positively in the year 2021 - an EV Corvette C8 will be produced soon.
If Mrs. Mary Barra says this, so will she, because the US President is a real Corvette owner and driver!
Project characteristics EV C8:
What should an EV Corvette C8 be and be able to do?
Top model of all C8 also above the Zora!
Target weight of less than 2 tons.
101kWh batteries in the center tunnel and where the ICE is currently
Duo electric motors for AWD with 1111 HP.
Visually a flatter front and very small cooling openings on the sides and back for very low air resistance. The most important thing is that the EV C8 has to be more ecological than the Mercedes EQXX! This is possible at GM and, like the new C8 Z06, the EV C8 is the only super sports car for every citizen!
GREAT ARTICLE! A+ I want one of each and I pray I can have one of each. This is the future. And the fact is some people do not like change. We hear people saying they won't have an electric car in their lifetime, because they do not understand change. I am a Corvette Brand Loyal customer to General Motors and Chevrolet. I purchased my first Corvette in the summer of 1982 and it was a 1969 coupe. I drove my fathers 1979 new Corvette to learn how to drive and obtain my drivers license. GM and the Corvette Team are on the right track to make the Corvette better and more advanced than any other muscle car/supercar in modern time. PLEASE keep us updated on the advancements to the Corvette. GM, please provide us the power we seek. The C8 is great (Thank You). I look forward to the next level of electric hybrid powered Corvette and the ALL electric powered Corvette. Bring on the ZORA. I already have my personalized license plates secured.
Gee, I wonder if U.S. consumers would buy an electric Corvette if it had a 600 mile range? We already know that a properly engineered electric Corvette would embarrass any ICE car in a quarter mile. Tesla already proved it. And of course a Porsche 911 will never go electric, a new properly engineered Porsche model will. I can’t wait to see that battle, an electric Porsche vs an electric Vette. Its coming folks, deal with it.
I read that the 911 will never go electric also. But do you believe that decision is set in stone? A lot can happen in five to ten years and there's is too much equity in 911 to rob it away from battery electric.
I don't see the current C8 have a 6 year life-cycle. IMO, this life cycle will be around up till 2029. I do see a mid-battery electric model available in 2030 as a Stingray with several powertrain choices like the mid-engine models have and will have in the future.
Failing wheels, failing lifters, failing ignitions...
Yet 'Who Killed The Electric Car?'
GM
Hey Gomez, get your facts right. The model s plaid was advertised to have a 200mph top speed (not 250mph) yet it could only manage 163mph which tesla just increased to 175, still lagging far behind many ice vehicles. And you need to lose that Period ! " emphasis." You sound like that idiot in the white house. (Brandon)
I just don't get this EV craze. A single EV battery weighs about 1,000 pounds and manufacturing it requires mining and processing over 500,000 pounds of raw materials. An ICE requires one-tenth the tonnage to deliver the same number of vehicle-miles over the battery's seven-year life. I just don't get how raping the Earth can be good for Earth. I don't understand the Governments EV push.
Hello, New Guy to this forum, I just sold my 650S Mclaren to buy the new Corvette Eray. It's sorta crazy but I am all jazzed over the electric hybrid. It is very difficult to find a street safe enough for 180+ and the track isn't for daily fun. The low end torque and immediate response of the electric motors in the hybrid should tickle me pink from 0 to 60 and light to light. I know that Tesla has the straight line thing figured out but I am hoping GM will make the Eray fun around corners as well. I have already gotten my place in line and hope GM will give me a new toy. Maybe in a few years I can pick up a Zora but for now the Eray should bring me enough tech to keep me happy. GO Corvette!
Corvette HAS to become all electric!, to survive.... the future is electric! I have had 5 Corvettes. I was thinking about a 2023, but have shifted (no pun intended) to a battery Corvette when they become available! They will be a supercar, it's in their blood! The only question I have for the US, is when they will be worthwhile. I live in Wisconsin. Cold weather half the year.The battery charging stations for EV's - here is way behind.... I don't see it being realistic (in Wisconsin) for a minimum of 10 years. Maybe 20! People that I know, that come up from Chicago have to charge their vehicle (TESLA), before going home - and they are shocked at how few charging stations are here... Tesla is the biggest manufacturer for EV cars, and my friend is having issues finding a charging station that is on their way.... every manufacturer is pushing hard to get EV vehicles. The concern is when the "grid" can support 10s of thousands of EV cars needing to be charged - on the road.....when we get the "million mile battery" the problem will be subdued. Till then - not a viable option for most.
I thought there would always be a V8 Corvette available. This is the best one ever. But after going to the track and watching a guy drive his Tesla plaid to the track and race it against nitro-burning cars pull away from them like they were standing still I was stunned to silence. It started to look stupid that people were doing all of these burnouts. Flames shooting out of the pipes with engines screaming and the Tesla streetcar has no problem. It is faster off of the line. It is faster halfway down the track and it is faster through the quarter-mile. Then I realized that Tesla SUVs are also faster than the nitro-burning funny cars. With grief, I realized you don't have a sports car if you have a gasoline-powered car.
Trump is such a success story ...
Exactly, both are terrible presidents IMO, Trump was more business friendly.
It usually changes it into a big smile ;)
how do you like Formula E so far?