It seems like the Bolt isn’t going away after all. Just a few months after Chevrolet said it would stop making the Bolt EV, the company changed its mind and announced that the Bolt will continue to be produced. Now, we have some more details about what could remain one of the most affordable electric vehicles in its next version.
However, this doesn’t mean it will stay the same. Chevrolet has plans to release a new and improved second-generation Bolt that will be built on General Motors’ Ultium platform. This means it could be much better than the already well-valued current version, which is great news for those looking for high-quality, affordable electric cars.
It’s still uncertain whether Chevrolet will keep the Bolt EUV, but considering the current trend of large cars, it wouldn’t be surprising if the larger Bolt stays in the lineup.
Curious about what’s coming with the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt? Here’s everything we know so far.
Details about the design of the upcoming Bolt are scarce. It’s likely it will retain some elements from the current model, which is known for its somewhat bulbous front, slanted headlights, and hatchback rear. At the very least, we can expect the next Bolt to be a hatchback. If the Bolt EUV continues, it would likely be a larger version of the standard Bolt EV.
Hopefully, both the Bolt EV and possibly the Bolt EUV will feature a sleeker and more interesting design. The current Bolt EV is not completely unattractive, but it’s not exactly stylish either. Many modern electric cars have at least some sense of style, even if they aren’t all stunning. As the redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius showed, budget cars don’t have to be boring.
The current Bolt is popular mainly because of its price. It is one of the cheapest electric cars available, making it a top choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want the benefits of an electric vehicle.
The price of the 2025 Bolt has not been announced yet, but we are hoping it will be around the same or even lower than the current model. Right now, the Bolt starts at $26,500, with the Bolt EUV starting at $27,800.
We do have some information about the release date of the next-gen Bolt. General Motors CEO Mary Barra mentioned at an Automotive Press Association event that the car will be coming in 2025.
It’s not entirely clear what this means. It could mean that the Bolt will be reintroduced as a 2025 model year vehicle, likely appearing in late 2024. Alternatively, it might mean that the car will be shown in 2025 and launched as a 2026 model. We’re betting on the former, which means we might see it sooner rather than later.
Chevrolet hasn’t announced details about the different colors and models we can expect from the new Bolt. However, multiple models are almost guaranteed. Currently, Chevrolet offers the 1LT and 2LT models, with the more expensive 2LT offering better seats and tech features.
We also don’t know the specifics about the 2025 Chevrolet Bolt’s charging speed and range yet, but there are some hints. The new Bolt will be built on General Motors’ Ultium platform. This means it should be lighter and thus offer a better range while staying cost-efficient, thanks to a 70% reduction in cobalt use in the battery. The car is also expected to use the Tesla NACS charging connector, which GM announced it will adopt by 2025.
We hope the new Bolt will have a range of at least 300 miles and improved charging speeds.
The Bolt is designed to be cost-effective, so it might not be the fastest car available. However, as a modern electric car, it should still have decent acceleration. The current model can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds, which is pretty good for zipping around town.
We expect the next Bolt will have slightly faster acceleration. Previous announcements about the Ultium platform suggest this is possible, with even the lowest-spec Ultium motor offering 241 horsepower, a substantial increase from the 200 horsepower in the current Bolt.
The 2025 Bolt EV will likely come with great tech features. Although we don’t have exact details yet, it’s unlikely the features will differ significantly from what’s currently offered. This would include adaptive cruise control, a variety of parking sensors, and more. However, General Motors has stated that it will no longer use CarPlay or Android Auto, so those features likely won’t be available on the new Bolt.
The current Bolt EV and EUV qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, along with several other General Motors cars. However, there’s no guarantee that the next-generation versions will qualify since the requirements for these credits change every year, and many cars are expected to lose some of their qualification next year. Given the success of the original Bolt, partly due to the tax credit, we hope GM ensures the new model will qualify. It helps that most of GM’s Ultium battery factories are in the U.S., which is a major criterion for eligibility.
There are many things we’re hoping to see from the next-generation Bolt, with a refined and improved design high on the list. The Bolt isn’t necessarily ugly, but recent announcements like the Volvo EX30 have shown that sleek and affordable designs are possible.
Aside from design, we hope the Bolt EV will offer a range of at least 300 miles and faster charging times, as the current version is notoriously slow.