Earlier this year, GM Authority reported that the next-gen Bolt EV is currently scheduled to launch in the Summer or Fall of the 2025 calendar year as a 2026 model-year vehicle. Just a little more than a year away, it now appears as though General Motors is attempting to make the upcoming 2026 Chevy Bolt EV the most affordable all-electric vehicle in the United States.
According to a report from Automotive News, GM Senior Vice President and President of Global Markets leadership team Marissa West remarked on concerns surrounding EV affordability and how The General has created a goal of making the next-gen Bolt EV more affordable than ever.
“We’re really excited to get the Bolt with the Ultium architecture underpinnings to have the most affordable vehicle on the market by 2025,” West claimed in a recent interview.
First-gen Chevy Bolt EV
For comparison’s sake, the most affordable electric vehicle in the U.S. is currently the Nissan Leaf S, which features a starting MSRP of $29,280, including freight and delivery charges. Meanwhile, the more upscale, longer-range Leaf SV boasts a starting price of $37,330. Interestingly, while the outgoing 2023 Chevy Bolt EV possessed a starting MSRP of $27,495 – including DFC – both Leaf variants had lower driving ranges.
Of course, the second-gen Bolt EV is likely to have stiff competition upon its eventual debut. In fact, GM Authority previously reported that rivals Ford and Stellantis are currently developing low-cost all-electric vehicles that would slot in the market right in where the next-gen Bolt EV would.
As a reminder, the 2026 Chevy Bolt EV will be based on the first-gen Bolt EUV rather than a clean-sheet design and will be built at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas. That being said, unlike its predecessors, the second-gen Bolt will utilize GM Ultium-based technologies and feature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which would be purchased from a supplier. Notably, the GM Ultium batteries found in other GM electric vehicles boast a nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) composition.
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Comments
Actions speak louder than words GM. In the words of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, “Make it so.”
Back in April of 2023, I was on here speaking my mind about GM’s decision to kill the Bolt. This was two-fold because I thought it was stupid to kill off the best low priced EV on the market and because I had just gotten one 3 months before. So yes, I complained. So I truly want to take a moment on here to say thanks to GM for now keeping the Bolt and working to make it a better EV with an affordable price. I think those of us who frequent this site should keep making our voices heard in hopes that GM has someone important reading these comments.
I am super excited and waiting to see pics and specs for the new Bolt. I truly feel that mine is such a nice vehicle that any improvements would take it to a level difficult for others to match. I just hope they keep it the smaller one and focus on it being more of a hot little hatch instead of a crossover.
GM let’s do it this is what people want so give it to them it would be nice if the Camaro came back to but I won’t hold my breath so much potential to update this car like the Cadillac’s it’s based on instead GM kills it just to tease a four door Camaro no please just let it die in peace make a new SS or Malibu four door and please keep your word about the bolt!
Try a little punctuation! Even if you don’t get it perfect, it will at least be readable.
Not sure still true, but lithium-ion has a higher energy density at 150/200 Wh/kg versus lithium iron phosphate at 90/120 Wh/kg. The numbers may well have changed a bit for both. The bolt will either be heavier or have less range with the less expensive iron based batteries. It will be less expensive. Tesla (and most of the Chinese makers) already use the iron chemistry on the low end for cost reasons. Cobalt is relatively rare, and in the amounts needed for large batteries times tens of millions of vehicles per year is probably not feasible. Maybe the holy grail of solid state batteries will cut prices and maintain range.
LFP cells may be less energy dense, but are much safer. They are puncture resistant, don’t heat up during charging or discharging, need less cooling, and almost fire resistant. I have 24 kWh of LFP batteries as energy storage for my home since 2022, they are indoors and less than three feet away from my master bedroom door. That is how safe they are. This Bolt may not be as efficient as a Tesla Model 3 but it will NEVER burn as a Tesla!
Your numbers are off quite a bit, but generally, yes, LFP has lower energy density than NMC. However, the best LFP batteries are now close to the bottom range of NMC batteries for energy density. The Bolt was also using older chemistry NMC, so the new LFP pack might not be too bad.
Add to that, you can charge LFP cells to 100% daily without worry of degradation like in NMC packs, so they don’t need as much buffer as NMC.
LFP are also less prone to thermal runaway, and need less cooling, which helps volume and weight efficiency at the pack level.
We just have to see which way GM goes with it. But I would expect at least the same range as the current Bolt, and probably not much weight difference in the end.
This is one of GM’s better decisions, hope it sells well. Using LFP batteries is a big plus in terms of cost, longevity and safety. It will be interesting to see where they source these batteries from – most likely CATL directly or indirectly. At least they won’t be using the LG Chem NMCA packs.
Repots are they are working with a supplier that will be licensing the tech from CATL, and building them in the US.
Really glad gm is keeping the Bolt and will use LFP batteries. My concern is the new Bolt will be based on the out going Bolt EUV and not a full redesign. So will it have more or less the same design, or will it be more like the current Trax?
I think we’ve all heard the new one will be based on the EUV only. Too bad as we certainly don’t need yet one more crossover in that size. If you park an EUV, Trax, TB, Encore GX, Envista all side by side, there’s little difference for the average person to ever notice.
They truly need to keep the new Bolt based on the old Bolt EV (not EUV) and just have that one. Give it some changes and upgrades along with the new battery. Keep the price below $29,000 and it will sell well.
I actually preferred the Bolt EV over the EUV as I wouldn’t have any Bolt as the first choice vehicle for the household. The Bolt EV had a more sleeker front end design too and a better fit as a second car. I understand why they chose the EUV to be the basis of the new Bolt though, as the EUV sold at greater numbers.
I’m sure GM didn’t think this far ahead, and figure out the only reason the EUV sold more was there was no Eq EV nor Blaz EV.
Had there been, the EV would have sold more.
Bill: Totally agree. If they do make the new Bolt the EUV, I think it will just take sales away from the Equinox and Blazer EV’s.
They need to keep the new one on the smaller one and make it look less goofy and more hot hatch kind of like a VW Golf GTI.
Nocim88 It’s going to take sales away from the Equinox and Blazer regardless if it’s a hatch back or EUV! It’s probably going to be smaller then an Equinox the Equinox ICE is up against the Trax, Trailblazer, abd Encore, Envista and the ICE Equinox still outsells them it’s Chevy’s number 2 best seller only behind the Silverado proof that if people like it they will spend extra money on what they want! Please stop clamoring over wa wa wa GM sells nothing but SUVs abd CUVs…then go buy a leaf! Lol 😆
GMGUY: Yes, the Silverado sells the most followed by the (old) ICE Equinox followed very closely by the Malibu. Yet, the Malibu is NEVER advertised or promoted. On the flip side, the Silverado and Equinox are the most advertised and promoted GM models on the market. If GM cared about the Malibu. If GM promoted the Malibu. If GM advertised the Malibu, it would overtake the Equinox in sales.
Maybe your comments would be easier to follow if you used proper punctuation and grammar? Learn the difference between “Then” and “Than”. Know the difference between to, too and two. I could go on, but………….
Yes, the Bolt EV will compete for sales with the Equinox EV no matter what. However, it’s much less likely to cannibalize Equinox EV sales if it’s the smaller Bolt and not the EUV. Finally, read what I said. I was talking about the Equinox and Blazer EV’s. Not the ICE versions. The only reference I made to the all was in terms of size and being in that same basic category.
Ok agreed but as far as gramee I’m on a cell phone using spell check and usually I’m in a hurry jezz…I didn’t know I was back in English class in HS. Oh and the Malibu did sell very well last year it still didn’t outsell the Equinox but it sold very very well, I’m sure that in the future GM will come out with a sedan EV or otherwise they even said they would. But in the meantime can we agree to be gentlemen and not nit pick each other please. You have yourself a great day.
Tesla will crush everyone with the model 2
😂
They cancelled that project.
What project? If you are implying Tesla did, I guarantee your comment won’t age well.
GMA blocks links but Google for the Reuters article about it.
What does GMA block? GM went to Apple 🍎 they didn’t want to play ball as usual they wanted it their way no compromise. We shouldn’t have to cater to one phone brand or another it should all be shared information and media….the Internet is free to use so to should be platforms not free but shared between Google and Apple and whoever else wants to sell phones we live in a free market society not a brand dictatorship. I owned an iPhone I hated it it was glitchy, I couldn’t download any apps I wanted like on my android and the price was much higher for the phone. Perhaps you should research that thing called the INTERNET I mentioned before you type BS!
Elon already said that wasn’t true
Weird GMA isn’t letting me reply to your comment below. All Elon claimed was that Reuters was lying. Didn’t say about what. And then at the qrtly they confirmed that they are focusing on the robotaxi, and not a new low cost EV based on a new platform, but tweaks to the 3/y platform to reduce costs and pricing.
Except His Majesty Elon has cancelled it. Therefore, not so much.
Keep dreaming
That’s why I love the 2023 bolt EV I bought.
The 2017 EV I had had an Oriental look to it compared to the Occidental look of the new model, plus about $10,000 cheaper. With trade in,and 2 pos rebates only had to write a cheque for $3,450.
David don’t waste your time you won’t win with these people on here just believe that what you researched is true and not BS… trying to get these people to believe the truth is like trying to get a toddler to do things your way! Elon Musk is rolling in 💰🤑 💰 🤑 and he enjoys what he does on X.
The new Bolt will be thousands of dollars cheaper than the cheapest Equinox EV. Doesn’t EUV have better leg room and trunk space than the smaller Bolt?
Yes the EUV is bigger than the regular bolt but people on this website just like to complain so just take it with a green of salt All right have a good day God bless 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
The NoxEV is significantly larger than the Bolt EUV.
Finally somebody gets it! The Equinox is bigger.
It is by around 20″. So yes it is larger in that dimension. However, it’s not like you are setting the EUV next to a Tahoe and few people would ever have the EUV directly next to the Equinox EV, so they won’t see that 20″ as a lot when they walk 30 feet from one to the other. My overall point is that if this new Bolt EV (EUV) does come in at 25 to 29,000 MSRP and the Equinox EV starts (good luck ever finding one) at 30 to 34,000 MSRP, people will buy the Bolt over the Nox. That’s how it will absolutely take sales away from it.
Now if they were smart, they would be bringing back the base Bolt EV and have it nearly 27″ shorter. Now that would be a difference people would notice.
@cim88. Whatever fits your needs is what car companies should sell. Me I prefer the Equinox EV or new for 2025 ICE Equinox over the EUV, but like I said if you don’t need a ton of space then go with the Bolt EUV. Oh and I now know why the Equinox EV doesn’t have a frunk, It’s because the electric motors and antifreeze are there just like on an ICE car only thing is is its electric…. Like the song lol! 😂
The EUV looks close in size when parked next to a Trax yes but inside it’s different the Bolt EUV probably has a little more room and maybe a flat floor and the Bolt an EV the Trax is ICE at least we have a choice.I really wish bench or 60/40 seats could be an option as you don’t need the center console. Small hatchbacks just don’t sell well here and I imagine the small price difference made people think well why not buy the bigger one I just hope it looks less scfi and dorkey looking more sleek would be nice.
If I’m understanding what you wrote (GMGUY), I agree on some of it. But the base Bolt EV actually has more usable room behind the rear seats than the EUV. Now if you are looking for more rear seat legroom, then the EUV does that by 3″. However, the standard Bolt isn’t short in that area either and does better than many other vehicles.
What’s nice about the smaller Bolt is how easily you can park it, maneuver it, zoom in/out of traffic and it’s more efficient as well. The icing on the cake is that it was a around a grand or more less than the EUV. I don’t know about you, but when buying a vehicle, 4 to 500 or more makes a big difference to me. But none of this matters because GM is going to do what they want and it sounds like the EUV won. For me, I just hope they bring out an EV car (sedan) by the time I’m ready to change. Otherwise I’ll be buying an import. No SUV/CUV’s for me.
No cim88 did Bolt EV has more usable room than a regular Bolt it’s a bigger vehicle come on I mean I could be wrong but doesn’t usually the bigger vehicle have more room than a smaller one?
Yawn…..Whatever.
Hey money for nothing…YOU FORGOT Chicks for free! Lol 🤣😆
Affordable is GOOD, but if it not APPEALING no one will buy it!
So rather than make it affordable, how about making it appealing.
Frank Ricciardi the last Bolt wasn’t “appealing” as far as looks go but it was a hot seller because of the price! Not everyone needs flash a drive!
I wouldn’t really call 30k-60k per year a “hot seller”
That doesn’t even get it into the top 20 models for sales.
Regardless, I would never feel comfortable in such a small vehicle considering we now have 9000 lb EV pickup trucks on the road. Wouldn’t have a chance in a collision with one!
Yeah, we should all just drive killdozers,…
Not like there haven’t been large trucks on the roads before EVs.
🤦🏻♂️
I’m looking forwarded to the new 2026 Bolt EUV. Please, please, please include the same great features of the Bolt EUV Redline with hopefully a HomeLink garage opener and a power liftgate. Also, maybe by the time GM starts production they will realize their mistake (as they did on announcing the discontinuation of the Bolt only to appreciation public opinion and retract their decision) on eliminating Apple Play and will bring it back for the 2026 model year.
I can’t wait to see what they’ve cut to make it that cheap….I guess it won’t have windshield wipers or something brilliant like that, actually they just wait to see what Musky does to cut costs on Tezlasses and then copy that…..
Maybe they can sell a subscription service to run the headlights…..
What was once the biggest corporation on earth…..sigh.
I currently lease a 2023 Bolt EUV Redline Edition & absolutely love it. No complaints… It’s just big enough that I don’t feel like I’m driving a clown car (thinking Smart car). I was hoping the Ultium based version would be just a tic smaller than the Equinox EV but hope was dashed after reading this article. It would have released just about the time I will be ending my current lease.
Bring back the VOLT.
If GM can keep the price down might get one to keep short trips off the AFM/DOD SIlverado, and charge for free on the panels. However whats better two simple vehicles vs one complex (RamCharger)? But imagine trusting Stelantis.
Interesting that “fat orange r—-) is allowed buy my post where wrote “illegal alien” was disappeared……
MrR this Web page is about GM cars why bother bringing politics into it I’m sure there are other web pages for that ! Let’s keep it about the Chevy Bolt please!
Ok, so why was the comment above mine not deleted, it is definitely political, or is only one type of political discussion allowed?
Meh.
I have driven both the Bolt and the Bolt EUV; I was very impressed with both of them! Wish GM would offer both models again, but I am still considering the new Bolt EUV to replace my Prius C when they cone out next year.
I hope it stays its current size or a little smaller. The Mercedes bionic car showed that you can have super low drag with a boxy hatchback shape. If any car could look quirky, it’s the Bolt. The GM Ultralite is also quirky yet iconic.
On that note, GM should turn the Precept concept into the next Volt.
Does anybody else mind the pop up ads every two seconds on this site??
I’ve had my Bolt EUV for almost 2 years and have already put on 50,000 miles. Never had a single problem and I look forward to driving it every day. It’s really the perfect commuter and runaround car. And with the back seat folded down it can hold a surprising amount stuff. GM really built a great car. Glad they changed their minds and look forward to seeing the next generation.