This week, General Motors held an event where they announced a host of new details about its upcoming entry-level electric vehicle, the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, according to Inside electric vehicles who obtained the information from social media posts. When it rolls off the assembly line at GM’s Fairfax, Kansas, plant early next year, the Bolt will start at $29,990, including destination charge. A few months later, a base LT trim will arrive starting at $29,990, followed by the RS trim for around $32,000, both including destination charges.
When released early next year, the new Bolt will be equipped with a 65 kWh LFP battery that will allow an estimated range of 255 miles. It will come with a native NACS charging port, meaning it will be able to charge thousands of Tesla Supercharger stations at speeds of up to 150 kW. (A NACS to CCS adapter will be provided for older charging infrastructure.) It will charge from 10% to 80% in 26 minutes. And it will have bi-directional vehicle-to-home charging capabilities, allowing it to deliver up to 9.6 kW of power.
It will have a larger 11.3-inch infotainment screen than older Bolts, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as GM made the controversial decision to ban phone mirroring in its electric vehicles. There will be an option to include the Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance system, which supports route following, lane changes and highway interchanges. The new Bolt will also have 16 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 57 cubic feet when they are lowered.
The importance of an all-new American-built electric vehicle that starts at less than $30,000 can’t be overstated. Even Tesla, which has the most mature EV business and has perfected its supply chain and assembly process for two decades, has not been able to remove enough features and content from its vehicles to bring them below that figure. The new standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y will start at $38,640 and $41,600, respectively.
These prices will make the new Chevrolet Bolt the cheapest new electric vehicle in America upon release, sneaking in just below the new Nissan Leaf, which starts at $31,485 including destination. It will likely be a welcome addition to an electric vehicle market that is in dire need of more affordable options, especially in the wake of the expiration of the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit.
