The Chevy Bolt is one of the most popular electric vehicles in America thanks to its affordable starting price, spacious interior, and a somewhat impressive range. The compact hatchback has been on the market since 2016 and has received several updates and improvements over the years.
Now, after announcing a reversal of its cancellation this summer and letting some additional details out in October, General Motors has finally confirmed when the next Generation Chevrolet Bolt EV will debut.
So, when will it debut and what upgrades should we expect? Join us as we discuss how GM just confirmed the release date of the 2025 Chevy Bolt.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrival Date | 2025 |
| Platform | GM’s Ultium EV Platform |
| Current Performance | |
| – Horsepower | 200 HP |
| – Torque | 266 lb-ft |
| – Battery Range | 259 miles |
| Expected Performance with Ultium Platform | |
| – Performance Increase | Expected |
| Battery Technology | LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) |
| LFP Battery Benefits | |
| – Increased Durability | |
| – More Charge Cycles | |
| – Consistent Fast Charging | |
| Price Range (Estimated) | $30,000 – $35,000 (plus destination fee) |
| Additional Focus Models | Chevy Blazer EV, Silverado EV, Equinox EV |
GM’s Investment in Electric Vehicles
GM is one of the leading automakers in the world and has been investing heavily in the electric vehicle market. One of its most popular electric vehicles is the Chevy Bolt, which has a loyal fan base and impressive sales despite its aging design.
GM previously announced that it will phase out the current Bolt at the end of this year, and the whole world thought that was the end of the Bolt. It didn’t make sense at the time because GM was selling a lot of this vehicle and people loved it because of its starting price of $225,000.
The Bolt also won several awards and accolades such as the 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the 2017 North American Car of the Year, and the 2017 Green Car of the Year.
However, GM decided to stop producing this vehicle because it was preparing to retool the Orion assembly plant near Detroit to produce electric pickups by late 2025.
Announcement of the New 2025 Chevy Bolt EV
The CEO of GM, Mary Bara, has just announced that the Chevy Bolt will make a comeback in 2025 using the Ultium EV architecture. She made this announcement at the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, where she also praised the current Bolt’s loyal fan base and impressive sales.
Bara did not release any details in her remarks to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit but said she had received positive feedback from customers who adore their Bolts. “That’s been something that has been really great this year and that informed the decision that we will have that back again in ’25,” Bara said.
The Return of the Chevy Bolt
In April, Bara first confirmed that the current Bolt would be discontinued, but a few months later she changed her mind and said it would return as an Ultium-based EV.
In October, she said GM will purchase lithium iron phosphate battery cells for the redesigned Bolt EV, the first use of that battery type in North American Ultium-based vehicles, and that it would be built at lower cost and on a faster timeline.
Lithium iron phosphate battery cells are safer, cheaper, and more durable than conventional lithium-ion battery cells, and they have a higher thermal stability and a longer cycle life.
The Ultium EV architecture is GM’s latest and most advanced battery platform, which promises to deliver higher performance, lower cost, and greater flexibility for electric vehicles.
2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Price
The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV is expected to be priced between $30,000 and $35,000, excluding destination fees. This competitive pricing aims to make the Bolt EV more accessible to a wider range of consumers. Key to this affordability is the use of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery cells, which are cost-effective, durable, and support consistent fast charging.
Ultium EV Architecture
The Ultium EV architecture will enable GM to offer a range of electric vehicles, from compact cars to large SUVs, with different battery sizes and configurations. The Ultium EV architecture will also support fast charging, wireless charging, and vehicle-to-grid capabilities.
GM will still phase out the current Bolt at the end of this year, but it will make a comeback in 2025 using the Ultium EV architecture.
This announcement is in line with a Reuters report from last month based on the automaker’s tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers Union.
A document from those negotiations indicated that the UAW had secured a $391 million investment for a future electric vehicle at Fairfax Assembly in Kansas, which currently makes the Cadillac XT4 and Chevrolet Malibu.
Future Plans and Expectations
While Mary Bara confirmed that the new Bolt will be fitted with LFP battery power, she did not give any details about its range or price.
She did, however, promise that the vehicle will offer an improved driving, charging, and ownership experience for customers who already love the Bolts. She also expressed her confidence in GM’s EV strategy despite the challenges and setbacks that the company faced this year.
2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV Release Date
The 2025 Chevrolet Bolt EV is set to arrive in Jan-Feb 2025. This announcement was confirmed by General Motors CEO Mary Barra during the Automotive Press Association event in Detroit. The new model will be built on GM’s advanced Ultium platform, which underpins the automaker’s electric vehicle lineup.
The Bolt’s History and Success
The Bolt was first introduced in late 2016 and was followed by the larger EUV variant in 2022. The Bolt has been a steady hit in the US market despite its slower fast-charging speeds compared to newer EVs.
Many customers have been drawn to its affordable price, impressive range, and convenient size. GM aims to replicate this success with the next Bolt, which will feature a cheaper and more efficient lithium iron phosphate battery.
The new Bolt is expected to offer a better driving, charging, and ownership experience for customers who are looking for a greener and smarter way of transportation.
Addressing the Bolt’s Flaws
The Bolt had a major flaw that made it less competitive in the EV market: its slow fast-charging speed. Unlike newer EVs that could charge up quickly, the Bolt took a long time to replenish its battery.
This limited its appeal for customers who wanted a convenient and hassle-free way of transportation. However, GM is planning to address this issue in the next generation Bolt with a new and improved battery.
The new lithium iron phosphate battery will allow the new Bolt to charge faster and longer, making it a more attractive option for a lot of customers.
Boosting Ultium-based EV Production
GM is also boosting its Ultium-based EV production after it faced a series of serious setbacks earlier this year due to a manufacturing issue. The issue affected the battery module assembly, which is a crucial component for the Ultium-based EVs.
These delays put GM behind its rivals in the EV race and hurt its earnings. However, GM managed to overcome this challenge and delivered 4,222 Ultium-based EVs in the third quarter of 2023, which was a whopping 200% increase from the second quarter (1,395). GM hopes to sustain this momentum and launch new models like the Blazer EV, which will diversify its EV portfolio and cater to different customer segments.
Meanwhile, the Chevy Bolt is still performing well in the EV market, with 15,834 models sold in the third quarter. GM CEO Mary Barra believes that affordable EVs like the Equinox and the next-gen Bolt will help drive the adoption of EVs among the masses. She also expressed her confidence in GM’s vision of an all-electric future, where EVs will be more accessible, reliable, and sustainable.
Conclusion
In the end, GM is doing the right thing by bringing the Chevy Bolt back. Also, with the announcement of 2025 as the debut date for the new Bolt, GM has enough time to learn from the market, understand what customers need, and then find a way to include these needs in the upcoming Bolt EV. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments section.
