The General’s popular subcompact electric vehicle model, the Chevy Bolt EV, currently slated to be discontinued at the end of 2023, will get a new lease on life with a planned return in calendar 2025, the automaker’s CEO Mary Barra says.
Barra said that positive customer feedback about the Chevy Bolt EV “has been really great this year,” noting that it was popular demand that “informed the decision that we’ll have that back again in ’25,” Automotive News reports.
The statement adds more detail about the timeframe that was lacking when GM first provided confirmation back in July that a next-generation Bolt is in the works. At that point, The General revealed the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV and 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV would not represent the final model year of the Bolt family after all.
While the Chevy Bolt used second-generation GM electric vehicle technology up to this point, the next iteration of the Bolt will update to third-gen tech, including GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium Drive motors for power and propulsion. However, the resurrected Bolt will not be a clean-sheet redesign, but will instead reuse some existing Bolt design and engineering to speed up the development process.
The next-gen Bolt will also include a variation on the existing Ultium battery technology used by GM. Instead of the current nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) chemistry in Ultium battery cells, the compact EV will draw energy from lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells. LFP batteries are considerably cheaper and are said to be less subject to thermal runaway and battery fire risk.
The move will cut expenses for Bolt production, with Mary Barra noting the Bolt will gain “a significantly cost-improved battery pack using purchased LFP cells.” She also pointed out “this will be our first employment in North America of LFP technology in the Ultium platform.”
Production of the new Chevy Bolt is likely to take place at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas rather than the current GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan. GM agreed to invest $391 million in Fairfax to kick off EV production there as part of its new contract with the UAW.
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Comments
Interesting if true.
The current Bolt/ EUV isn’t bad for the cost. Certainly could use a faster charging speed and a bit of a boost in range but that won’t break the bank for GM to do.
This appears be the key to cheaper EVs at GM from here on out. Could also explain why Honda and GM ended their partnership on a cheaper Ultium.
I do wonder if GM will continue offering both variants or just streamline to one and open up the new platform to other models at Buick and GMC.
They mention the EUV several times while talking about reusing the platform. I think the current Bolt is just a bit to small for Ultium components.
I’m not sure what size has to do with it.
Ultium isn’t a vehicle structure. It’s a series of components and electronics.
Ultium was designed to be able to accommodate battery sizes as small as 6 modules (~50KWh using NCMA).
Current BEV2 (Bolt EV/EUV, Velite 7) could likely accommodate an 8 module Ultium pack. With LFP the usable capacity will likely be close to ~60KWh. It will likely use the Ultium mid sized permanent magnet 180KW motor in a FWD configuration. The improved efficiency should yield similar range to the current EUV.
For DC fast charging I would guess a 2C charge rate or a peak DC charge rate of 120KW which would be an improvement over the current 55KW peak rate. I presume a 96S-2P cell-pack configuration with 8 Ultium modules (each module in a 12S-2P configuration). Nominal pack voltage of a bit over 300VDC and a peak charge current of 400A.
Of note GM already runs a similar power setup in the Equinox EV and Blazer EV. The 10 module Ultium pack runs an 80S-3P configuration (85KWh usable) with a 300VDC nominal and 500A peak charge rate (150KW). So expect similar power numbers to the FWD versions of these.
Ehdit0r: I agree except with the part about range. From any EV stand point, more range would be great. But in terms of real life range with the Bolt models (both), nobody seems to be complaining about range. I certainly am not. I have my Bolt EV set to charge to 95% and I plugged in Saturday evening when I got home. It won’t start charging till the middle of the night in order to be done by 6:30am. When I got up Sunday and went to leave, it was at 314 miles but quickly dropped to 310 when I started driving. From the 310 it has been going down as normal and my true range has been about 300 to 310 continually. Also, you can Google it and find a range test done in Colorado where the group tested a Bolt EV, Volvo XC40 EV, Tesla Model 3 and I think a Kia EV. They were in cold weather with some snow and going over the passes in the mountains. The Bolt ended up with about 3 more miles of range than the Tesla and both finished the challenge without charging. Both the Volvo and Kia died and had to be loaded on the truck.
Few EV’s for under 60 grand can truly do more range than the Bolt.
I’m eagerly awaiting for the pics and specs to start coming out. Although not a stunning car to look at, I don’t mind the looks of my Bolt. So if they change just a few things to “update” it some, I’m ok with that. Looking forward to this new one.
On another site I just read an article where the US total EV sales have been reported for the first 11 months of this year. So far with December still to go, total EV sales in just the US has gone above one million (1,007,900 roughly). That number is more than 50% higher than last year.
Question is: Why are so many news outlets and car places attempting to report the collapse of EV sales? It’s just not true. And if GM could figure out their EV supply issues and put Equinox EV’s on the lots along with more of the rest, those EV sales numbers would be even higher.
“Why are so many news outlets and car places attempting to report the collapse of EV sales?”
It feeds the FUD machine and negative headlines sells clicks.
I suspect it was originally driven by the Europeans especially the German union ie VW who is also afraid to lose it’s grip on the EU market and VW was ‘slowing down’ it’s transition. Got picked up by the US media. Then supplemented by everyone as part of the union negotiation process and there is a general slowdown of vehicle purchases because of interest rates. Then there are production issues in which GM for instance, has battery factories, pack production, NACS support, raw material supply contracts ie lithium, etc that are in the 2025 range and will make things easier and cheaper. So if say the Bolt is a loss leader, and they are selling them as ‘compliance’ for the emissions credits, and there is a slowdown in the purchase of gas vehicles, they don’t need the credits, and would rather wait until the cost structures start falling in line. And GM will only have 27 of 2000 planned Flying J/Pilot charging stations in place by the end of the year, and really for the electrification, they need all 2000, and in reality without 5-10m charging, they probably need 5x more.
The Biden changes were awkward and rushed with poor timing. But done in large part to try and lure battery manufacturers planning on building in other countries to build in the US instead which did work, and other components will be built here as well. but they took a known 20 year timeline and pushed it up 5 years, it really screws up planning which adds expense. Another part would be COP28. And yet another, would be to try and slowdown imports. If the market is reported is soft, then maybe it slows down China from trying to dump cars in the US. (BYD made a boat that can haul 7k vehicles at a time.)
If GM can make the (New) Bolt the size of the EUV only and still get at least 250 Miles of range with DC Fast Charging speed of bare minimum 150kW (personal I think everything should be 250kW going forward at bare minimum) for about the same money as is currently (and be eligible for IRA Rebate) then GM will have. huge hit on their hands.
It must be modern inside and out and use Muuuuuuuuuuch better interior materials.
It’s the cheapest electric car with acceptable range, and all of your requests will add cost so it will be less affordable to customers or less profitable for GM. Since we know the current Bolt is a loss leader for GM, we will see where they go with the next one. Adding lots cost for low value added subjective upgrades like “much better interior materials” is a waste of money for an entry level vehicle. Crappy interior materials don’t seem to have hurt Tesla Model 3/Y sales much.
For all of you quick/higher kw charge lovers, just a reminder that the higher the charge rate and the more often you quick charge, the shorter the battery life. Most charging of an EV needs to be done on a Level 2 charger or you will significantly shorten the battery life of all currently available batteries I am aware of. Level 3 charging should only be done when necessary on long trips.
It may have been a loss leader the first few years, but gotta imagine they started making some $$ on It.
Yes but LFP battery’s can take DC charging.
Any Bolt with option CBT in USA, (standard in Canada) has 400 VDC fast charge.
@Bruce
What have I listed that is too expensive for the Bolt to have?
I don’t expect much differences inside and out. Just powertrain. And probably the new Android Automotive OS powering the infotainment system.
My only addition for my liking is a garage door opening feature.
And can’t GM just put the same damn steering wheel in multiple vehicles that have the same features? I traded in my 2019 Equinox diesel for a 2023 Bolt EUV … which has all the same features, yet some genius decided to put the heated steering wheel button down on the center stack, and the lane keep assist button down on the center console! What a PITA!
From the quote, it’s not clear if she meant as a 2025 model year or in the 2025 calendar year.
After the first statements that were made I believed 2025 model year because they made it clear that it wasn’t a full redesign but components being swapped out. Now that Kansas is being brought into it along with the other delays I’m leaning towards physical year 2025. Unless they start building in Mexico first then Kansas later then late 2024 is still in play.
Considering Mary B.’s propensity to overpromise/underdeliver, likely sometime in 2026
All this talk of EV market decline is just sensationalized clickbait. From what I can see there are three things embedded in these stories. 1) the rate of increase has declined recently. Overall year we are up 50% but sounds like recent months the rate of change has slowed. Still increasing. But second derivative has gone slightly negative. 2) there is way more supply coming online. So before any loser model would fly off the lot. Now with a slight oversupply bad models are sitting. As they should. Competition. 3) Tesla is icing the market. With them reducing pricing, you just get buyers slowing their purchasing decisions bc they don’t want to get caught paying more than they could. My belief is that once price reductions stop, you’ll see a re-acceleration of purchasing rate. Just my opinion.
We’re pretty sure informed buyers are waiting for the current tax credit to turn into an available-to-all rebate in January. We’re pretty sure that’s why are handful of Bolts are not selling in Nov and now this month. And yes, Elon’s pricing games are causing lots of wholesale uncertainty for the used market. Right now used 2018-2020 Bolts with low miles AND new batteries are an absolute DEAL.
This may be the expected EV that will break the opposition to electric driving. And the U.S. needs it to push out the Asían imports that have lesser quality for a cheaper price. So I may be a new Chevy Bolt onwer by 2025 or lafter.
Well done, GM! The next breakthrough is producing a Malibu electric sedan.
It needs to be out by Spring 2025 as that is when my 22 EV lease expires.!
As previously said, that Fed tax credit coming off the top at time of purchase will be a game changer for next year.
I am hoping GM changes their plans on not supporting CarPlay.
If I knew for certain that GM was still going to be support CarPlay, they would be top of my list.
As-is, I’m holding off judgment until getting to experience their new system in-person.
Now if GM can resist the urge to restyle them ugly, it will be a winner.
Who cares???
About 1/2 of surveyed car buyers are considering an EV. So a lot of people.
If EVs are so wonderful and amazing they do not need to be subsidized with a wealth transfer from Joe Six Pack to the wealthy Americans who buy them.
Let EVs complete on their own merits, like ICE vehicles do.
That tax credit came from the Republican President, George Bush, and the following two Presidents just kept it active. No smart Presidentual candidate will eliminate it. But Congress will not eliminate the oil subsidies, so gas prices are kept low. Let us vote to eliminate all Federal aids for any type of energy and see if the public will prefer to pay over $8 for a gallon of gasoline, or pay more for an electric vehicle that can run for almost free.
Don’t forget milk and corn subsidies if we’re “true” capitalists.
Don’t conservatives always push for lower taxes for the wealthy?
New car buyers are mostly more affluent than the rest of the population.
1) Wealthy ppl don’t get the $7,500 EV tax credit
2) US fossil fuel subsidies totalled $760B in 2022
So what is GM’s stopgap between 2024 and 2025? Production for the current Bolt ends production this year and will not return until 2025, not even as a refresh or a midcycle refresh, as far as we know. That is a whole year before the public has access to their most affordable and best-selling EV. What are they forcing the public to purchase instead of the Bolt EV\EUV for a year? Why do I get the feeling that this is all smoke and mirrors?
I have a suspicion that they are stopping the sale of the Bolt EV\EUV, even if it is temporary, to direct the public to purchase their other and more expensive products i.e. Equinox EV, which will be coming out next year and initially was supposed to be the Bolt replacement, the Blazer EV and the Lyriq EV.
Ready to place an order for the first RHD Bolt off the production line. No national franchise necessary; just one UK dealer/importer would do.