Normal Motors has formally introduced the relaunch of its standard, inexpensive EV the Chevrolet Bolt for 2027, with new lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry enabling sooner charging.
The announcement marks a step change for the automaker, which is positioning the revived mannequin as a limited-run celebration of buyer loyalty and EV affordability.
“After manufacturing ended, we heard our buyer’s suggestions and their love for this product,” stated Scott Bell, vp of World Chevrolet, in line with GM’s official announcement. “So the Bolt is coming again – by standard demand and higher than ever – for a restricted time. This can be a celebration of what Bolt means to our clients and to Chevrolet.”
The 2027 Bolt will launch within the US with a beginning value of US$29,990 for the LT trim, with an much more inexpensive base LT variant arriving later within the mannequin yr at $28,995, although to be most cost-effective EV introduced in America so far.
New battery chemistry, sooner charging
The brand new Bolt addresses what was extensively thought of its predecessor’s greatest weak spot: sluggish DC quick charging. The 2027 mannequin incorporates a 65kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery able to charging at speeds as much as 150kW—greater than 2.5 instances sooner than the unique Bolt, which maxed out at 50kW.
One of many key variations between the unique and 2027 fashions is the shift from nickel-cobalt chemistry (equipped by LG) to the cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry (equipped by CATL) on the brand new Ultium platform.
The 2027 Bolt makes use of a 65kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery in prismatic can cells, in line with GM’s official specs. The cells are equipped by CATL, the Chinese language battery producer, although GM is reported to have plans to start making the cells within the US.
“With DC public quick charging, drivers can now go from 10% to 80% battery cost in 26 minutes,” GM acknowledged in its announcement. The car affords an estimated 255 miles of vary and turns into Chevrolet’s first mannequin to function a local NACS charging port, offering direct entry to Tesla’s Supercharger community with out an adapter.
In a notable addition for an inexpensive EV, the 2027 Bolt options bidirectional charging functionality at 9.6kW when paired with GM Vitality’s house merchandise. GM acknowledged that the function means the car “might present energy to a correctly geared up house throughout an outage” when paired with a GM Vitality Residence System.
Design and Expertise Evolution
The 2027 Bolt maintains a well-known silhouette remarkably just like its predecessor, the Bolt EUV. Phil Zak, govt design director for World Chevrolet, defined the strategy: “We took suggestions straight from clients to verify the 2027 Bolt delivers improved know-how and expanded options with out compromising area, usability or fashion.”
The inside receives extra substantial updates, together with an 11.3-inch heart infotainment display screen and 11in driver info show, each bigger than earlier than. A brand new column shifter creates extra space between entrance seats, and the car affords out there Tremendous Cruise driver help know-how. Nevertheless, one controversial change is the elimination of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of GM’s Google built-in system.
A winding highway to return
The unique Bolt debuted in 2016 because the 2017 mannequin yr and gained MotorTrend’s Automobile of the 12 months award. “The Chevrolet Bolt was the business’s first inexpensive mass-market, long-range EV and it commanded considered one of GM’s most loyal buyer bases due to its value, versatility and practicality,” stated Bell.
In line with MotorTrend, “It was GM’s first pure electrical automobile and put Tesla on discover to launch the Mannequin 3 at a aggressive value level.”
Regardless of its recognition – gross sales doubled in 2023 in line with MotorTrend, reaching 49,492 models via Q3 – GM ended manufacturing to transition services to its newer Ultium platform. The choice proved controversial with clients, prompting the reversal.
The Bolt’s return follows a winding path via GM’s EV technique revisions. CEO Mary Barra first introduced the mannequin’s discontinuation in April 2023, then reversed course by summer time, confirming at an Automotive Press Affiliation occasion in December 2023 that it will return. “That’s been one thing that has been actually nice this yr, and that knowledgeable the choice that we’ll have that again once more in ’25,” Barra stated on the time, in line with Automotive Information by way of InsideEVs.
The car will likely be assembled at GM’s Fairfax Meeting plant in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, quite than the Orion, Michigan facility that produced the unique. Manufacturing is scheduled to start late this yr, with buyer deliveries beginning in early 2026.
In line with InsideEVs, a Reuters report based mostly on UAW negotiations indicated the union had secured a $391 million funding for the “future electrical car” at Fairfax Meeting.
Restricted manufacturing run
GM emphasised that the 2027 Bolt will likely be a “restricted run mannequin,” suggesting it serves as a bridge car whereas the automaker develops its broader inexpensive EV technique. Bell’s messaging strengthened urgency: “It’s your likelihood to personal a preferred EV that’s inexpensive. So, in the event you’ve been ready, that is the second. Don’t miss it.”
The brand new Bolt will likely be out there at Chevrolet sellers starting within the first quarter of 2026, becoming a member of the Equinox EV in what GM expects will account for many of Chevrolet’s 2026 EV quantity.
Pictures ©GM
