GM CEO Mary Barra recently discussed the automaker’s all-electric vehicle plans and strategy, addressing what the company has accomplished so far and where it is headed now. Looking into the future, Barra indicated that the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV was indeed on the way, likely launching for the 2026 model year. Unlike the previous-generation Bolt, the next-gen Bolt will utilize GM’s latest Ultium-based EV technology.
GM CEO Barra discussed the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV during a recent interview with Barron’s, stating that the new Ultium-based Bolt will arrive “in a little more than a year.”
GM Authority previously reported that the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV would arrive in 2025. Based on the CEO’s latest statements, it’s now expected for the Summer or Fall of the 2025 calendar year.
Barra also addressed GM’s decision to discontinue the Bolt last year, stating that, at the time, GM was working with Honda on a new, low-cost EV, while simultaneously transitioning to the GM Ultium battery platform.
“We were trying to be capital-efficient,” Barra said. “But the Bolt has great brand recognition and high customer ratings. We finally decided to do the work to move the Bolt to Ultium. Also, I was getting letters from people who were mad at me for killing the Bolt.”
Barra stated that the automaker expects to offer a wide range EVs by midyear, including luxury vehicles from Cadillac, as well as more-affordable vehicles from Chevy, while indicating that the upcoming Ultium-based Bolt “will be even more affordable.”
For reference, the outgoing Chevy Bolt EV incorporates a Voltec-based drive system, with a skateboard-type platform and 65 kWh lithium-ion battery. Output was sent exclusively through the front wheels, providing 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Production took place at the GM Lake Orion plant in Michigan. Looking ahead, the next-gen Bolt could be built at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas.
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Comments
Looking forward to this. Curious to see if GM leans more toward SUV styling or continues the tall hatchback look.
From everything we have heard, the 2026 Bolt will essentially be the Bolt EUV with minimal styling updates. The big difference will be the Ultium batteries which are much cheaper to make.
I don’t know if that is entirely accurate. From what I’ve been reading, a lot will carry over from the current Bolt EUV set-up but it will most likely be structural.
I’ll refer to the ”new” mid-size trucks, and the 2025 Equinox: While they share a majority of parts and platforms with the previous models, they’re heavily updated where you could consider them redesigned. Dimensionally, the newer models for both are slightly larger than the models they replace.
I can almost guarantee that this isn’t true.
While the 2026 Bolt will use an adapted BEV2 architecture based off the Bolt EUV there will most certainly be a mid-cycle refresh to the styling to coincide with the launch.
Sure the size and shape of the car will remain largely the same, it will get new sheet metal and interior styling.
That was also said to be released as a 2025 model. Now 2026 is said so I’d guess that the original plans of using the current platform got scrapped.
They never said 2025 Model they said released by 2025, so a 2026 MY makes perfect sense.
On the Scrap:
I agree Toney. -That’s what the ‘tea leaves’ are telling, right now…
GM will be bankrupt by 2026!
I think you brain is bankrupt already! Then again look at that name! Lol 😂
My prediction for the 2026 Bolt
What we know. It will be BEV2 based updated using the Ultium parts bin. And we know it will use LFP batteries.
Given that this is going to be GM’s super affordable option I wouldn’t expect anything too exotic.
The size and shape of the vehicle will be near identical to the Bolt EUV with updated sheet metal and interior styling.
8 module Ultium battery system utilizing LFP cells. This will yield a 96S 2P configuration. with an approximate pack size of ~60KWh usable. Nominal pack voltage of 305VDC. (similar to the 80S configuration of the Equinox EV using NCMA cells).
Same FWD motor as the Equinox EV (210hp). No eAWD option.
Peak charge rate will be about ~120KW. (300VDC at 400A [2C charge rate]).
Despite the slightly smaller battery I still think it will hit the 250miles of EPA rated range. The new powertrain will be a bit more efficient.
Standard with the NACS port and full plug and charge capabilities.
I hope it will have a heat pump system like other GM Ultium vehicles.
Starting price $27,400 USD (guess)
Heat Pump is core to Ultium it will have it.
$27,400 sounds far too low given that the new Bolt will based on the EUV which had a starting price of $33,000. I don’t see how they get there without making a lot of the EUV’s standard features into optional packages.
Actually, the starting price of the 2023 Bolt EUV was under $28K.
I know the LFP batteries are generally less energy dense than the NCMA ones but I’m hopeful 250
miles is more on the conservative side of what we will actually get.
Talk talk GM is all talk! Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Ultium based bolt it will probably never arrive! If it did arrive it would not be close to what’s offered on the 2023 model year! They will infuse eye candy into the vehicle! You’ll have a big glaring dashboard in front of you but your range will suffer greatly and it will not have the range of the existing bolt! No Android or Apple CarPlay! Also by now all EVs coming out should have at least 300 mi range some of them are coming out with less range than the 6-year-old bolt it’s crazy!
Think outside the box the Bolt is not and will not be a Cadillac or SUV EV…the whole point of the bolt is to be cheap transportation. I wouldn’t mind if it where a little bit bigger but not Equinox EV size GM needs desperately to introduce this model as an economy car fingers 🤞 that they do!
I also wouldn’t mind the bigger dash display it should be more modern looking then an ICE car, just offer Android auto and Apple car play.
Personally as a Bolt EV driver, I’m very interested by the features the EUV has as an upgrade from my Bolt EV; ventilated seats, higher resolution cameras, camera rear-view mirror, nicer seats and a nicer interior, and of course, SuperCruise. If the Ultium Bolt foregoes those features at the higher end in the name of providing a cheaper vehicle, I’m not interested. If the Bolt foregoes it’s button-lined interior in the name of having a giant tablet for control, I’m even less interested. In my eyes, the Bolt EUV was stuffed for feature that made it great value for money; if the Ultium Bolt is lacking features for the sake of hitting a low price, what’s the point? The value argument kind of goes out the door.
Yeah! I’m disappointed with no Apple Car Play as GM wants us to take a Google subscription service monthly paid from what I understand. I also would like to have front and rear camera option add on. I believe that is something that was available in past Bolt production, however, not really promotied by GM. My experience with after market purchase and installation of front and rear cameria on 2013 Bolt Lt1 was a nitemare for installation tech and cost me more money than I anticipated!
I have a 2023 Bolt EUV and I love it. My wife just bought a 2024 Hyundai hybrid because we need a vehicle that will drive some distance. I strongly approve of the decision to bring back the Bolt but I also agree with Greenlineguy that the Bolt needs to get the range up to at least 300 miles. By 2026 most EVs will a have better range than that and the Bolt will only be useful as a city car.
Former Chevy Volt owner here (and Honda Clarity Electric leasee)… I agree with the “city car” usefulness of the Bolt. Wife and I test drove one and it was quite peppy. She wasn’t enamored with the looks though, and the major downside for me was the slow charge rate (I believe 80kWh), rendering longer drives from SoCal to Vegas or AZ a non-starter. We ended up getting a Tesla Model Y Performance that charges at 250 kWh, has reliable charging infrastructure via Tesla’s Supercharger network, and have thoroughly enjoyed it! For the price though of around $30k for the Bolt though (compared to double for our MYP), can’t beat it yet, if again, just used as a “city car”.
I totally disagree with the Bolt only being useful as a city car. I drove Bolt’s since they came out in 2016. I’ve done four 2,000 mile trips in them. I also learned the trick to minimizing charging times: Charge to 80% ONLY on these longer trips. It takes 40 minutes, typically, if you have maybe 20-40 miles left when you charge, (this is in an EUV). You have to stop an extra time, or two, depending on how far you’re going, but the total time charging is significantly less. Like an hour less over a 500 mile trip. 40 minutes isn’t that bad. I also just switched to a brand new 2023 Model Y (LR AWD). The experience is MUCH better, but, like you said, the car cost me double the EUV.
Yes, range should be boosted a bit. We were long-time Prius owners and I was always disappointed that once Toyota more or less hit the 50 mpg point, they seemed to stop trying to improve mileage efficiency. The Bolt now takes the place of the Prius in our stable. I’d like it to remain.
About GM using Testla supercharger?? Ford 1 GM 0
Actually Jv if you read the news often GM is one of companies on board to adopt the Tesla style charger plug. Ford junk needs all the help it can get an F150 with gussied up interior and different grill and headlights won’t work! Also the range on that lighting is absolutely horrible 92 mile range when towing so it’s a show Mobil as are all theses EVs so far. I say give it 5-10 years at least if EVs are going to have any chance at replacing ICE.
Well I’m waiting, Ford customers are already using and receiving the adapter, I’m still waiting ..and nothing new about a date , February is gone…I’m a Bolt driver
The Bolt EV is a pure EV—not Voltec. Might like to correct the article.
Government Motors. Municipalities will buy them in bulk at a discount.
Bolt and Volt. Two excellent names for electric vehicles.
Off the main subject here, but LFP will be shorter range. No denying that. It is what it is. Personally, I believe eventually – in 5-7 years – new EV’s will have at least a 400 mile range and charge in under 15 minutes. Because of longer range, I expect public charging, OUTSIDE populated areas where apartment dwellers need it, will have much less congestion. Reason being most people live in cities or close suburbs. In the suburbs, it is mostly single family homes, where you mainly charge. People in cities will be fighting over charging spots, but since they don’t need to charge as often, it will balance out. The main need for public charging outside cities and suburbs is for “weekend getaways”. These are, by definition, quicker trips, and therefore less miles. How many hours/miles do you drive for a weekend getaway? Not likely more than 4 or 5 hours each way, or about 300-400 miles roundtrip. You don’t need to stop to charge, and there will be a decent chance that your destination will have charging, whether be a home or a hotel or an AirBnB. But more like you won’t need it at all. It’s only for those longer vacation car trips that take a few days to get there that you need public charging.
Had 2017 Bolt, loved it. Would prefer the regular Bolt to EUV version as cheaper, more range, a bit faster to 60, and slightly more cargo area. The advantage of the EUV is more rear passenger room, but I don’t have kids or cart people around.
I think Mary Barre should re-consider Android or Apple Car Play and making the next-gen Bolt EV better than the previous model year to attract more buyers. For example, how about a simple addition of a garage door opening control. Maybe after reading this post she will seriously re-consider as she did with on keeping the Bolt in the Chevy line-up. How about it Ms. Barre? Oh, by the way, I love my ’23 Bolt EUV redline.
Tom I think GM should offer car play and android auto as well why can the ICE vehicles get it but not the EVs? It doesn’t make sense! Well it does make sense because eventually GM is going to want you to subscribe to a prescription to use your phone in their new EVs…time will tell if that works out or not and knowing GM they will wait until people don’t subscribe to pay for it before they change it. One road test editor testing driving a Blazer EV said the system works great you can sign in to Spotify, Waze, and other apps and somehow I forgot how exactly use your phone through the new system the only caveat is that eventually you’ll have to pay to use it. Then again if it wasn’t Apple vs Android in this world GM could probably make one system that works for everything… capitalism is wonderful isn’t it!?
I really don’t believe a word she says. I can’t understand why she has not been terminated long before now.
I read it will cost like $40,000. How is that slashing costs?
Slashing costs to improve margins, not lower the MSRP. And, don’t forget the dealer markups. That will add to the overall end price of the vehicle as GM will never be able to manufacture enough to meet demand.
I have a 2022 Bolt EV. If the new one is going to be in roughly the EUV format, I would much prefer that the extra 6 inches go to the rear cargo area rather than the rear seat space, which I feel is adequate in the EV.
300 mile range is far in excess of what most people need. That’s just under 500 km. My wife has a 2014 Matrix which drives 610 km on a tank. Since an ev can charge at 110 v slowly, a single charge over a weekend will suffice most people. For longer trips? We can use my Rav hybrid.