Report: Chevrolet Planning To Introduce EV Underneath Equinox EV

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Before the end of January, General Motors announced that it would be investing $7 billion into four manufacturing sites in Michigan. One of the plants to receive a large amount of the funds is the Orion Township plant that will see the facility be converted to assemble the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV and electric GMC Sierra pickup. The plant is currently home to the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. The news casts a shadow over the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV's future.

Affordable EV On The Way

Now, a report from GM Authority claims that General Motors is planning to come out with an affordable electric car that utilizes the brand's Ultium batteries and platform. The vehicle will reportedly sit underneath the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV and will carry a starting price of approximately $30,000 when it goes on sale in the fall of 2023. While the news is good for shoppers, it all but solidifies the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV's future if true.

The Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are based on GM's old BEV2 platform that has the automaker's old 65-kWh battery pack and chemistry. GM's Ultium batteries, platform, and electric motors allows the automaker to come out with an affordable vehicle with more range and performance than the Bolt lineup. It's one of the great things about the Ultium platform, as GM CEO Mary Barra explained during the automaker's fourth-quarter earnings call how the economies of scale enabled by the Ultium platform allow it to make affordable EVs.

"The efficiencies created by the Ultium platform are a key reason why we will be able to deliver truly affordable EVs like the Equinox," said Barra during the fourth-quarter earnings call. "Affordable EVs are part of the market that start-ups aren't targeting, but they are key to driving mass adoption of EVs, which is a national and a global priority. That's why we plan to follow the Equinox with an even more affordable EV."

What Will Happen To The Bolt?

With the Equinox EV expected to be an electrified version of the compact SUV, we think the upcoming electric car from GM to be a subcompact SUV or a compact hatchback. That puts the hypothetical vehicle right in the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV's crosshairs. Then, there's the $30,000 price tag, which also puts the Bolt family out in the cold. The Bolt EV starts at $31,500, while the larger Bolt EUV costs $33,500.

All of this information points toward Chevrolet putting the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV to rest. Unfortunately, GM is confirming the decision without actually confirming the decision.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods