GM

GM's Bolt EV to make epic comeback next year, multiple models teased

For those waiting on the sidelines for an affordable electric vehicle option, General Motors has some good news: The Chevy Bolt EV is coming back, possibly with an even cheaper model as an option. Moreover, the car is actually going to be profitable for the automaker.

GM President Mark Reuss confidently stated at the company's recent Investor Day that the "2026 Bolt will offer the same value as the original Bolt and much more. And it will be a money maker for us. Think about that."

GM initially planned to axe the Bolt last year before backtracking and confirming its resurrection as an Ultium-based EV for 2025. But now there's been another strategy shift – the automaker revealed to investors that it's ditching the "Ultium" branding for its batteries going forward. Even more significant, GM is abandoning its one-size-fits-all cell strategy, instead embracing a wider range of battery chemistries and formats across its upcoming EV lineup.

The new Bolt is slated to hit dealerships late next year as a 2026 model. While the final pricing isn't set, Reuss mentioned it will only cost "slightly" more than the outgoing 2023 Bolt EUV crossover's $28,795 starting price. That's not bad at all for an EV with over 200 miles of range.

However, it's not just the approachable cost that could intrigue EV buyers. GM is promising faster charging capabilities on the next-gen Bolt, addressing a sore point in current models, which max out at a relatively sluggish 55kW rate. Reuss kept the specifics under wraps, simply stating it will have "faster charging" as part of "the latest technology."

The reborn Bolt won't be a one-trick affordable model either. Reuss revealed it will be part of a full "family" of Bolt models, including an even cheaper variant for ultra-budget-conscious buyers.

Reuss seemed to take a subtle jab at Ford's newly formed "skunkworks" EV team too, boasting "We don't need to create a skunkworks to create affordable electric vehicles. We know how to do this."

While light on details, with Reuss saying it's "too early to go into specifics," the 2026 Bolt revival represents GM finally cracking the code for making mass-market EVs profitable after years of struggling with low production volumes and high upfront investments. The automaker is on pace to build 200,000 EVs in North America this year as it scales up next-gen models like the Bolt and the new Equinox EV.

LFP Battery...During the call, GM’s boss also revealed that the company will use an improved battery pack that consists of LFP cells (instead of more advanced but expensive Lithium-ion cells) and the “unit cost will be substantially lower.”

The next-gen Chevrolet Bolt will be the first model to have LFP cells across GM brands. Compared to Lithium-ion cells, LFP cells are cheaper, ensure steadier production, last longer, and are less prone to cold weather. However, they have a lower energy density, which means the battery packs containing them either have a lower energy storage capacity or are heavier.

LFP cells make perfect sense for urban EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt, which don’t need to deliver a long driving range or offer superb driving dynamics. That said, we’re expecting GM to work on improving the charging times and the kWh/mile consumption in the new model.

In February 2024, GM hired Kurt Kelty as its Vice President of Batteries, a new role. Kelty was a vice president at Sila, and prior to that, headed the battery development team at Tesla for 11 years. Kurt will report directly to Reuss. He will be responsible for the company’s battery cell strategy and a new end-to-end approach. He will oversee the use of raw materials, R&D and investments in new technology, the commercialization of cells and packs, recycling, etc.

Price...The EUV model, which has now been discontinued, started at USD 27,800. However, the company may need to release the next-gen Bolt at a lower price so that it looks competitive against upcoming rivals from Ford, Jeep, Nissan, and even Tesla.

In an interview to Automotive News, GM’s North American chief, Marissa West, confirmed that the next-gen Bolt will be America’s cheapest electric car. While she didn’t offer an exact price, we think that GM will price the new Bolt starting around $27,000.

by Mundoquatrorodas