There are still eight months or so before General Motors begins delivering the 2027 Chevy Bolt to dealerships, but it took to social media to tease the entry-priced battery-electric vehicle’s arrival.
Despite the Sept. 30 sunset of the U.S. federal $7,500 tax credit for BEV consumers and an expected slowdown in BEV demand, GM is keeping its foot on the accelerator when it comes to its all-electric plans.
In an Instagram post, GM displays an image of the front fascia and rear brake lights of the next-generation Bolt with the caption: “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever.”
The current Bolt (pictured below), even without the tax credit, will likely be the least expensive BEV on the market with a range around 300 miles (483 km). The Nissan Leaf is priced roughly the same or slightly lower but has only half the range of the Bolt. The new Nissan Leaf, with a comparable range, is expected to have a starting price of close to $35,000.
GM is keen to conquest brands whose pricing is being adversely affected by tariffs, as well as Tesla, which has been experiencing a sales decline due to boycotts and brand rejection over CEO Elon Musk’s political activity.
For the Cadillac brand, for example, about 80% of its BEV buyers are new to the brand, with 10% coming from Tesla, the company said during a recent brand briefing.
A Better Bolt
Chevy ended the original Bolt with the 2023 model. The 2027 Bolt, which will hit dealerships in the second quarter of 2026, is built on GM’s Ultium platform and will have a native NACS port, making it compatible with Tesla Superchargers without needing an adapter.
The first-gen Bolt model had a 200-hp electric motor, generating 266 lb.-ft. of torque (361 Nm). The 2027 Bolt is expected to improve on the horsepower figure, likely using a motor from the front-wheel-drive Equinox EV. This motor produces 213 hp and 236 lb.-ft of torque (320 Nm). While base models are likely to remain FWD, the next-generation Bolt is expected to also offer all-wheel drive.
The previous Bolt used a 65-kWh battery, providing an EPA-estimated range of 247 miles (398 km). The 2027 Bolt is expected to have an improved battery pack and achieve a driving range of nearly 300 miles. It's also expected to have a significantly faster charging rate than the previous Bolt's 54 kW maximum speed, potentially reaching 150 kW or more to optimize fast-charging stations.
The exterior design of the ’27 model will resemble the Bolt EUV that was a popular variant of the first-gen Bolt.
GM previously told WardsAuto that the Bolt will use its latest battery tech and software similar to what the automaker has deployed on Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. For the new Bolt, GM is utilizing lower-cost lithium-iron phosphate chemistry cells vs. the first-gen model’s nickel-manganese-cobalt cells.
Pricing hasn't been released. But based on interviews with Chevy executives in recent months, a starting price of below $30,000 is expected. Before the federal tax credit was suspended GM hoped to price it beginning near $20,000. Even at a price around $28,000, though, it is well below the $49,000+ average new-vehicle transaction price prevailing today, according to Cox Automotive.
GM President Mark Reuss told WardsAuto last fall that the new Bolt would be close to the price of the old one, and that the new battery technology allows GM to not lose money on each one sold. “It’s going to be profitable for us,” said Reuss, adding that the automaker is determined to offer affordable vehicles at a profit. The Chevy Trax, Buick Encore and Buick Envista, three of the company’s lowest-priced vehicles, are all profitable, Reuss said. New tariffs on vehicles built in South Korea, however, have probably changed that.
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt will be manufactured at GM's Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, KS. Production is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025.
