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This year’s CES is full of EV headlines, from a Sony EV to Chrysler’s Airflow concept and much more. GM’s accelerated push into electric vehicles made news with multiple head-turning announcements at CES. Arguably, the unveiling of the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is the biggest deal of all in an expo full of automotive gamechangers.
Although Tesla’s Cybertruck started the electric pickup conversation with the swing of a sledgehammer into a windshield in 2019, other automakers are much closer to bringing electric trucks (or dare I say e-trucks?) to market. The outdoorsy Rivian R1T has begun deliveries, and the GMC Hummer EV is crab-walking its way into customers’ hands. But these two premium offerings are a price point or two above what the majority of drivers can afford. Enter the Ford F-150 Lightning and its chief competition, the all-new Chevrolet Silverado EV.
The 2024 Silverado Is Positioned to Win Over Traditional Truck Buyers and First-Timers
During the CES unveiling last week, General Motors CEO Mary Barra made it clear that the upcoming electric Silverado “can be what you need and want it to be”, as they put it. Those in need of a long-range electric work truck with 10 power outlets for tools and equipment will find what they need in the Silverado ‘Work Truck’ or WT. All trims will be Crew Cab designed with a 40/60 split on the second row.
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For the truck-aspiring commuter or casual heavy-hauler, the boundary-breaking Silverado RST ups the ante and launches the MSRP to six figures. You could argue that the RST is closer to what the new Hummer offers than the WT version of the Silverado. Surveys of EV-curious consumers show that Americans are feeling uneasy about the switch from gas stations to charging infrastructure. The 2024 Silverado EV is out to change that, with up to 400 miles of range and true rapid charging capabilities.
For now, Chevrolet only mentions a future with a “full lineup of Silverado EVs” that will include mid-level trims. The press release announcing the launch outlines plans to “unleash the full Silverado EV portfolio, including WT (with a starting MSRP of $39,900 + destination charges), RST, Trail Boss and more. Customers will have the ability to content the truck across various price ranges, with MSRPs around $50,000, $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and more.” We’ll update this page as we learn more.
GM’s Cutting-Edge Ultium Platform Sees Action
When GM first ventured into the world of electrification with the Chevrolet Volt in 2010, battery costs were about $1,000 per kWh. That meant that the Volt’s 16 kWh battery was the most expensive component of the car. Now, Mary Barra says that their all-new Ultium platform will be produced at less than $100 per kWh. To be frank, that’s a gamechanger for any legacy automaker, let alone one that has been plagued with battery recalls and outdated electric powertrains. The press release announcing Ultium didn’t beat around the bush, stating that “the first generation of GM’s future EV program will be profitable.”
What does the Ultium platform mean for the 2024 Silverado EV? Outstanding range figures, efficient electric motors and exceptional charging speeds will come standard. Chevrolet claims up to 400 miles of range, and 100 miles of added driving range in just 10 minutes at DC fast chargers. All OEMs partner with suppliers for battery (and combustion engine) components to some extent. GM’s engineers designed the Ultium platform, but LG will be in charge of making the battery packs for the time being. Despite the kerfuffle between the two corporations over LG’s Chevy Bolt battery debacle, it looks like the partnership is continuing. Besides, LG Chem is a respected battery supplier for Stellantis, Lucid and even some Tesla models.
Specs: Power, Range and Flexible Dimensions Inside and Out
In summary, the upcoming electric Silverado is charging full steam ahead in the race to dominate the electric pickup truck segment. Here’s what GM has shared with us so far:
Trim (EV)
HP
Torque (lb-ft)
0-60 mph
Offboard Power
Range (miles)
Charging Speed
Starting MSRP
Silverado WT
510
615
TBD
10.2 kW
Up to 400
Up to 350 kW
$39,900
Silverado Mid-Trims TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
10.2 kW
TBD
Up to 350 kW
$50,000
Silverado RST
Up to 664
Up to 780
4.5 s
10.2 kW
Up to 400
Up to 350 kW
$105,000
When it comes to towing and payload, the Silverado EV is no slouch. GM says a future WT Max version will be capable of towing 20,000 pounds.
Trim
Towing
Payload
Bed Size
Max Available Load Floor
Silverado WT EV
8,000-20,000 lbs
1,200 lbs
5′ 11″
TBD
Silverado Mid-Trims TBD
TBD
TBD
5′ 11″
TBD
Silverado RST EV
10,000 lbs
1,300 lbs
5′ 11″
10′ 10″
Technology: OTA Updates, Big Screens and Hands-Free Driving
The Silverado EV is packed with the latest technology, including an advanced software system that enables over-the-air updates, a feature popularized by Tesla that is quickly spreading among automakers. As a driver approaches the luxurious RST, a distinctive lighting animation greets them. Infotainment and driver information is presented on the RST’s large 17-inch screen, which is paired with a neighboring 11-inch driver instrument display. There’s also a driver head-up display with a field of view over 14 inches.
The RST includes trailer-capable Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driver-assistance technology. Super Cruise works on more than 200,000 miles of compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada.
The 2024 Silverado EV’s Most Anticipated Features
The 2024 Silverado will enter a crowding field of full-size electric trucks. What makes the Silverado stand out from the F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, GMC Hummer EV and the eventual Tesla Cybertruck?
Up to 400 miles of range
This is outstanding, and it might even be too good. With the DC fast charging capabilities that come with the Silverado (see below), there’s hardly a need for more than 300 miles of real-world range. On the other hand, 400 miles of range makes the Silverado EV a great overlanding option for those who venture far off the beaten path. In all likelihood, Chevrolet will have quite the upcharge for the maximum range. Most trim options will most likely feature ranges in the 250-320 mile range. The Silverado’s main competitor, the Ford F-150 Lightning, is only capable of up to 300 miles of range on select trims. With the Ford, a minimum price tag of about $70,000 unlocks the max range.
Up to 350 kW charge speeds
All trims of the Silverado EV will be capable of super-fast DC fast charging at 350 kW speeds. In 2022, only the Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air are capable of such rapid charging. Soon, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 will join their ranks. Why then, is it ‘up to’ 350 kW charging? Not all public fast chargers are capable of such high outputs. The good news is that all new Electrify America charging stations are equipped for 350 kW. GM says that the Silverado will add 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes at such a powerful charging station. Of particular note, the F-150 Lightning will only accept 150 kW charging speeds. The Silverado has a clear advantage here.
Vehicle-to-load capability makes the Silverado a mobile generator
GM says that the new Silverado is basically a rolling generator, if you buy the required accessories. “When combined with the available accessory power bar, the Silverado EV’s PowerBase charging system offers up to 10 outlets, to provide a total of 10.2kW of all-electric power for countless worksite or recreational needs, including powering your home, with the required equipment.” It can even charge other electric vehicles!
Flexible interior and bed dimensions
On the RST, the storage capacity of the 5-foot-11-inch bed is maximized thanks to the Multi-FlexMidgate, which provides just over 9 feet of storage between the cab and the tailgate when the Midgate is open. The Silverado RST EV has a noticeably larger bed than the F-150 Lightning’s 5.5 foot offering. But wait, there’s more! The Multi-Flex Tailgate enables up to 10 feet, 10 inches of load floor and storage capability. An available tonneau cover allows for fully lockable, weatherproof storage. Furthermore, there’s a sizable frunk (front trunk) that Chevy is calling the eTrunk.
Pricing and Availability
GM has a plan for the rollout of the 2024 Silverado EV, so we’ll give it to you straight from the horse’s mouth.
“The Silverado EV will be assembled with domestically and globally-sourced parts at GM’s Factory ZERO, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center — a facility repurposed and retooled with a $2.2-billion investment devoted to EV production.
In spring 2023, the Silverado EV will debut a WT model offering GM’s longest range battery with an expected GM-estimated range of over 400 miles on a full charge. In fall 2023, a fully loaded RST First Edition model, also delivering a 400-mile range, will debut with an MSRP of $105,000 + DFC. After production ramps up, Chevrolet will unleash the full Silverado EV portfolio, including WT (with a starting MSRP of $39,900 + DFC), RST, Trail Boss and more. Customers will have the ability to content the truck across various price ranges, with MSRPs around $50,000, $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 and more, allowing them to choose the truck that meets their capability and pricing needs.”
So there you have it. Availability is limited through 2023 or perhaps well into 2024. In fact, most EVs have limited availability through 2022, as we outlined for you in our recent article. The F-150 Lightning does have the advantage here, as it will be available starting late this year.
CarEdge’s Take On the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV
The upcoming electric Silverado looks to be a transformational truck with amazing range, power and flexibility. Plus, there’s a whole lot of luxury on the RST. Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on as your consumer advocates: Several of the neat features that Chevrolet touts are only available with the purchase of ‘accessories’. The following features require some sort of accessory or upgrade:
The Silverado EV’s PowerBase charging system offers up to 10 outlets, to provide a total of 10.2kW of all-electric power ‘with the required equipment’
The Silverado is capable of charging another EV using the ‘available’ accessory charge cord
The storage capacity of the 5-foot-11-inch bed can be extended to 9 feet with the ’available’ Multi-Flex Midgate
The ‘available’ Multi-Flex Tailgate enables up to 10 feet, 10 inches of load floor and storage capability.
An ‘available’ tonneau cover protects belongings in the bed
Up to 664 horsepower with more than 780 lb-ft of torque in ‘available’ Wide Open Watts mode
This next one is less of a shock: 400 miles of range will be available with select trims. It’s not clear what the base range will be.
As you can see, the pricing structure may become a numbers game once Chevrolet starts shipping the Silverado EV to dealerships in 2023. Hopefully the available accessories are offered at a reasonable price.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV shows just how far legacy OEMs have come in their push towards electrification. GM has already committed $35 billion to electrification over the next decade, and their prized Ultium platform is looking like a real gamechanger. It’s exciting that we’ll soon see the result of their investments. What do you think? Is the electric truck segment about to get serious? Or were you hoping for lower prices and better specs? Let us know in the comments below, or better yet, join our CarEdge Community forum to connect with auto experts, consumers and fellow car enthusiasts.
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As anyone who’s fallen head over heels for one of the many 2022 electric vehicles and clicked that ‘Order’ button can attest, just because you can order an EV in 2022 doesn’t mean you can drive it home this year. This was a problem I faced myself, but I finally broke the code and got a Hyundai IONIQ 5 at MSRP (here’s how).
Soon after I began my online car search, it became clear that if I wanted a brand-new vehicle, my options were limited by availability. To make the most of the situation, I thought I’d share what I’ve learned about the availability and estimated delivery times for EVs on the market today. Here’s what we know as we kick off the new year.
Note: These are fully-electric models that can either be ordered now or purchased at a dealership today. Many more have been announced but are not yet officially available.
Make
Model
Class
Starting MSRP
Estimated Delivery/Lot Availability*
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What Does It All Mean? Supply and Demand Are Out of Whack
A few things might stand out to you on this list. Not a lot of options are available if you need a new vehicle right now. VW Group’s new EVs are available at many dealerships, although there are reports of major dealer markups. It’s quite easy to find EVs of the previous generation on dealer lots. Think Kia eNiro, Hyundai Kona EV, Nissan Leaf and the like.
The vast majority of 2022 electric vehicles are crossovers. No surprise there given the sales trends over the past decade. Honda doesn’t have a single EV arriving in the North American market until the 2024 Prologue electric SUV. That is surprising considering the popularity and good reputation of the brand. What will it take for automakers to catch up to demand? An end to the chip shortage would be a great step in the right direction. There’s also the supply versus demand factor. Ford, Rivian, Tesla and VW are all swamped with orders well into 2022, and even into 2023. All except Tesla are EV newcomers who are facing the same production ramp-up struggles that Tesla just barely survived a few years ago. We’ll update this page regularly as more information becomes available, so save it to your bookmarks!
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below, or shoot an email to justin@CarEdge.com.
As if anyone needed one more reason to be anxious, some of today’s electric vehicles have inspired a new kind of dread: range anxiety. If you’re new to the world of EVs, you may be wondering why electric vehicle range figures are compared and analyzed meticulously. Maybe you’re even skeptical of EVs because of the sub-300 mile ranges touted as the latest and greatest. The largest automakers are committed to electrification, and American drivers are finding that shopping for an EV is a different experience. There’s no doubt it takes some getting used to. Is the instant acceleration and cheaper fuel worth the learning curve that comes with EV adoption?
Electric vehicle charging stations are still few and far between in most of America. Even charging technologies vary widely from one vehicle to the next. A few new EVs are behind the times when it comes to charging speed, most notably the Chevy Bolt. Others, like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Porsche Taycan, are progressing forward with the fastest top-up times in the industry. Thankfully, charging an EV in America is about to get a lot easier in 2022. Billions of dollars in both private and public funding is being funneled into growing the nation’s public charging infrastructure over the next two years. EV range figures will likely become less defining for each new EV that hits the market as charging becomes quicker and easier to find.
As we enter 2022, range is still top of mind for consumers. But estimating EV range is not an exact science. Some vehicles regularly exceed EPA mileage ratings, but many others fall short of the advertised figures. Here’s what consumers need to know about real-world range in today’s growing EV market.
Factors That Affect Real-World Range
Speed is the number one factor that determines electric vehicle range. The relationship between city/highway driving and range is the opposite with an EV than you’ll find with a combustion-powered vehicle. With a traditional combustion vehicle, better gas mileage is achieved at highway speeds, usually between 50-70 miles per hour. That’s not so with EVs.
EVs are more efficient at lower speeds, even in stop-and-go traffic. Let’s consider the example of the best-selling Tesla Model Y. The 2022 Model Y’s combined range rating is 330 miles, or 125 mpg equivalent. A closer look at the city and highway figures tells an interesting story. On the highway, the US EPA calculates the Model Y’s fuel economy as 131 mpge. Real-world testing at 70 mph finds that the Model Y can make it about 275 miles on a charge. However, in city driving scenarios at lower speeds, the Model Y is good for an astounding 131 mpge, or over 350 miles of range. The story is the same for most other EVs: slower driving around town yields greater efficiency and more range.
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Why is speed such an important factor for electric vehicle range? It all comes down to something engineers can’t control, only accommodate: physics. At higher speeds, a vehicle encounters higher friction as it pushes through the air. Friction causes drag, and drag can only be overcome by more force. In this case, the additional force is supplied by higher power output from the electric motors. This is why EV stats often include the ‘drag coefficient’ along with horsepower, torque, curb weight and the rest of the usual metrics for comparison.
Weather Can Be a Blessing Or a Curse
Temperature, wind and even precipitation can all affect electric vehicle range, especially at higher speeds. Every battery-electric motor platform has an ideal operating temperature. Usually, the ideal temperature is somewhere near 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At the ideal temperature, the vehicle can attain up to 115% of its official rated range. That means a Ford Mustang Mach-E rated for 270 miles may actually make it over 300 miles on a single charge in perfect conditions.
Summer heat eats into range somewhat, but winter cold is the real range killer. Effects vary from one model to another, but it’s not uncommon for an EV to lose 30% of its range in freezing temperatures. Why? The cold itself is responsible for about 10% of the range loss, but it’s actually running the heater that demands so much energy, and range takes an even bigger hit. Winter weather is so problematic for EVs that many OEMs are installing heat pumps in their latest models in an effort to reduce range loss in the cold.
As long-haul truck drivers know well, a headwind or severe crosswind kills range for all vehicles, regardless of fuel type. An EV normally rated for 250 highway miles might not even make it 200 with a strong headwind. On the other hand, a tailwind can extend range far beyond the usual performance. Once again, this is similar to what drivers of combustion vehicles will experience.
Rain and snow also reduce range by adding to drag. Think of it this way: any vehicle, electric or otherwise, uses more fuel to literally push through the air as precipitation falls onto it.
Battery Wear Affects Electric Vehicle Range
All EVs lose rated range as they accumulate miles on the odometer. It’s just a part of battery wear and tear. The range loss is greatest as the vehicle is ‘broken in’ so to speak. Tesla vehicles lose about 5% of their range within the first 30,000 miles of driving, but range loss slows down afterward. There are many examples of Teslas with 200,000 miles on the odometer that continue to carry 90% of the original range, and almost all retain at least 85% by this point. Other EVs show similar range loss over time.
Battery degradation is unavoidable, but there are measures that EV drivers can take to minimize it. Limiting level 3 fast charging to only when necessary (such as road trips) is the biggest effort anyone can make to preserve the health of their battery. Charging at home on a level 1 or 2 charger to 80% or 90% state of charge is recommended for most EVs. Only when the extra mileage is needed should EVs be fully charged to 100%. One notable exception is the 2022 Tesla Model 3. Tesla has decided to put lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries in the standard range variants of the Model 3, making this the first EV on the market to withstand regular charging to 100% without notable battery degradation. Perhaps this was a factor in Hertz’s recent decision to buy 100,000 Model 3’s.
Does Electric Vehicle Range Make Road Trips Unreasonable?
With so many factors going into EV range, you might be wondering how one can reliably estimate the range of their EV in real time. Luckily, engineers saw the need for real-time range estimators and got ahead of this challenge. Today’s EVs include smart range estimators (that some affectionately call guess-o-meters) that factor in a number of variables to display the remaining range for the driver. Real-world range figures don’t necessarily make road trips challenging, but for the time being, it is something else for drivers to monitor while charging stations remain uncommon.
Popular EVs and Their Real-World Ranges
Curious as to how your favorite electric vehicles match up in real-world range? The EV experts over at InsideEVs have compiled a database of how every model they’ve tested firsthand performs in the real world. Some EV models far exceed their official EPA ratings, while others come up short. Below are a few of their more notable findings.
Today’s EVs are expected to retain 85-90% of their original range after 100,000 miles, and possibly even over 200,000 miles. This normal range loss is due to battery wear after repeated charging and discharging cycles. Real world range is something for EV shoppers to bear in mind when comparing models. Remember: If an EV is EPA rated for 250 miles, it will likely only achieve 225 miles on a full charge after 100,000 miles of driving.
The data from InsideEVs shows that some automakers consistently underperform their ratings, while others exceed expectations. Will range anxiety turn buyers away, or will tech and sporty handling compel more drivers to think about going electric? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. We’ll continue to keep you informed as electrification overtakes the auto industry.
When GM launched its first plug-in hybrid in 2010, the Chevrolet Volt, turning a profit was an uphill climb. It was a time when EVs were a pipedream to most OEMs. Nissan was nearing the launch of the Leaf, the first fully-electric mainstream vehicle ever. Tesla was a nascent startup raising funds by selling the first-generation Roadster. Automakers old and new alike knew that if EVs were to ever become affordable for the masses and profitable for OEMs, the costs of battery production would have to plummet, and battery efficiency and durability would have to increase.
Here we are 12 years later, and GM is ready to launch its first vehicles powered by their all-new Ultium battery platform and propulsion system. Is the platform a technological leap forward? Could it be the key to dethroning Tesla, or is GM after something different altogether? Here’s the latest on what GM claims is the game-changer for mass electrification.
GM Is Banking on the Ultium Battery for EV Domination
When GM CEO and chairman Mary Barra announced the Ultium platform in March of 2020, there was a lot going on in the world that overshadowed the gravity of her announcement. However, the automotive industry noticed GM’s confidence in its ability to overcome one of the biggest barriers to affordable EVs: battery production costs. Battery capacity is most often measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). For reference, a plug-in hybrid like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has a smaller battery, 16 kWh in this case. Today’s popular EVs like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4 have battery capacities in the 70-80 kWh range.
At the time of the Volt’s launch in 2010, battery costs were about $1,000 per kWh. That meant that the Volt’s 16 kWh battery was the most expensive component of the car. Now, Mary Barra says that the new Ultium platform will be produced at less than $100 per kWh. To date, only Tesla has been known to have reached such battery affordability, and it’s been considered a key ingredient in their secret sauce for success. The press release announcing Ultium didn’t beat around the bush, stating that “the first generation of GM’s future EV program will be profitable.”
They’re not going it alone. In fact, all major OEMs partner with battery producers to produce their EVs, from Tesla to Ford. In this case, GM is continuing to work with LG Chem for Ultium development and production (which has already begun). LG Chem is a respected battery supplier for Stellantis, Lucid and even some Teslas.
What could go wrong? You’ve heard about the Chevy Bolt battery fires that have resulted in recalls, stop-sales and $2 billion in expenses for GM? LG Chem supplied those batteries too. LG recently agreed to cover the massive costs of the Bolt recall, perhaps in a last-ditch effort to preserve the business partnership between the two.
The automotive industry usually welcomes second chances (remember the Great Recession bankruptcies, VW’s Dieselgate, etc.?), so let’s hope LG and GM’s partnership results in a great electric platform, one that’s far less flammable this time around.
Ultium Is a Scalable Electric Platform
GM says its all-new global platform is flexible enough to build a wide range of trucks, SUVs, crossovers, cars and commercial vehicles all with the same Ultium architecture. They call it a one-size-fits-all approach to electrifying all GM brands by 2035. At the heart of the Ultium platform is a pouch-type of battery module. This is where scalability becomes easy, at least in the eyes of GM’s engineers. Ford and GM are among the legacy automakers who continue to develop pouch-type battery modules, while relative newcomers like Tesla, Lucid and Rivian are using cylindrical batteries in their vehicles. It will be interesting to see which form factor becomes the dominant battery architecture over the coming years.
Ultium Battery Chemistry
The new Ultium battery from GM uses a state-of-the-art Nickel Cobalt Manganese Aluminum (NCMA) chemistry, which was designed to reduce the cobalt content in our batteries by more than 70 percent. Cobalt mining in Africa is notorious for human rights abuses, so the battery industry as a whole is looking to reduce reliance on the element.
GM Is Aiming for Vertical Integration
In the announcement for the new Ultium platform, GM didn’t hide the fact that they see battery production as a new source of revenue. Vertical integration of most vehicle components has been one of Tesla’s most influential strategies in the auto industry. Now GM leadership sees the value of cutting out the middleman (to an extent). “By vertically integrating the manufacture of battery cells, the company can reach beyond its own fleet and license technology to others,” reads the March 2020 announcement. They also tout their ability to leverage existing facilities and equipment for Ultium battery production.
Which Vehicles Will Be Powered by the Ultium battery in 2022?
The first generation of Ultium-powered vehicles is already arriving at dealerships. GM just shared the first customer deliveries of the resurrected GMC Hummer EV, a 1,000 hp crab-walking luxury electric truck. In case you’re keeping track, both Rivian and GM have delivered the first electric trucks in America before Tesla has started production of its Cybertruck.
Soon to follow will be the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq electric crossover (starting MSRP of $60,000), which will hit the road in 2022. The real test of the Ultium platform’s market strength will be the Chevy Silverado EV. Electrifying one of GM’s best-sellers is a bold move. We don’t know much about the electric Silverado yet, but GM will unveil the truck on January 6, 2022 at the CES expo in Las Vegas.
GM plans to stop selling combustion vehicles by 2035, so a LOT more Ultium vehicles are surely in the making. Cadillac will be exclusively electric by 2030, a mere eight years ahead. What’s next, an electric Camaro?
CarEdge’s Take: Is It Enough to Catch Up?
Execution is key for GM. We learned in 2008 that no automaker is too big to fail, and a Bolt-like battery blunder can’t happen with the new Ultium platform. Hopefully GM and partner LG Chem have taken the time and due diligence to get it right. It remains to be seen if GM will price its vehicles competitively.
The 2022 Chevy Bolt and Hummer EV are worlds apart in terms of affordability. In fact, the Bolt and Nissan Leaf are the only two popular EVs that typically sell for under $40,000. Will EVs forever be mostly $40k-plus models, or will American soon have Ultium-powered economy options to consider. Only time will tell if consumers are willing to spend Tesla money on a GM EV in 2022. About 641,000 employees work for the big three American automakers (GM, Ford, FCA/Stellantis). With so much money, investment and infrastructure on the line, we sure wish for their success.
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May 2022 Update: About half of 2017-2019 model year Bolts have received their recall fix, which includes a brand new battery pack. The new 2022 Bolt and Bolt EUV are back on sale at dealerships, complete with their new batteries.
The newly redesigned 2022 Chevrolet Bolt has a lot going for it: sleek new looks, modern tech, a new larger variant, and most of all, a starting MSRP of just $31,000. But as you probably know by now, GM’s golden opportunity went up in smoke when Bolts began to catch fire, sometimes burning down entire homes. Once a great budget EV, the Bolt has been ordered to socially distance by at least 50 feet from any building until GM works its way through the $2 billion dollar fix to get these cars back on the road safely.
There is a fix on the way, and it’s a fix that we’d like to think can’t go wrong. All Bolts from model years 2017 to 2019 are due to receive an all-new battery free of charge, and 2020-2022 models will receive. Could the Bolt fire disaster turn out to be a good thing for consumers in the end?
The 2022 Refresh Breathes New Life Into GM’s First Dedicated EV
This is the Bolt’s first major refresh since it was unveiled in 2016. Back then, it harkened a new path for GM at a time when the future of electrified transportation was uncertain. Would EVs remain a luxury outlier for Tesla fans? Or would EVs end up appealing to the masses?
The 2017 Bolt arrived at dealerships to great fanfare, even going on to win both the North American Car of the Year and the Motor Trend Car of the Year awards in 2017. Following a few minor efficiency upgrades, by 2021 the Bolt was rated at 259 miles of range in the EPA test cycle. That’s a respectable figure even in today’s field of EVs. With the 2022 model year update came a shock to fans of affordable EVs: the 2022 Bolt had the same rated range, but it was listed for $5,500 less, new technology, curvy looks and all! It’s likely that the price drop was intended to reflect the loss of eligibility for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
Another unexpected announcement was the launch of the Bolt EUV, a larger sibling to the original compact Bolt. The new Bolt EUV is 6 inches longer with an extra 3 inches of backseat legroom. The EUV has a big tech advantage over the Bolt EV: it includes GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistance software. On paper, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV looked like great deals. Even before the big refresh, efficiency, affordability and the former eligibility for the $7,500 federal tax credit lifted the Bolt to a spot in the top five in American EV sales for four years in a row.
Bolts On Fire: What Went Wrong?
The Chevy Bolt has had its weaknesses since the beginning, but they were always manageable. A peak charging rate of 55kW that continues to this day was always the biggest inconvenience. But you get what you pay for, right? Well, no consumer should ever be cornered into an affordable vehicle that turns out to be a massive fire hazard and safety risk.
Beginning in 2017, news reports emerged of multiple Bolts catching fire in parking lots and driveways. Eventually, so many Bolts caught fire that GM issued a fix in late 2020, but it failed to solve the problem. By early 2021, the pattern was clear, and a combo recall and stop-sale were issued for all Bolts (2017-2022 model years). Production of 2022 Bolts was halted, and remains on pause through January.
We now know the root cause of the battery fires in certain Chevrolet Bolts, and it’s a defect that affects every model year in some capacity. A spokesperson for LG, the battery supplier for the Bolt, shared the cause with Consumer Reports. “GM and LG have identified the presence of two rare simultaneous defects, found in the same battery cell, made during the module manufacturing process.” GM explained that the cause is a torn anode tab and folded separator within the battery modules. What it comes down to is two very rare defects simultaneously occurring in the same battery cells.
GM Has a Fix, but it’s Costing the Automaker Billions
GM has to be furious with LG for supplying dangerous batteries to its car that was destined for mass appeal. There’s nothing appealing about buying a $30,000 fire hazard, not to mention the hassle of returning the vehicle for the recall. But it looks like the two behemoths have reached a deal. LG has agreed to compensate GM for the costs associated with the recall. When all is said and done (sometime in 2022), LG will be paying GM about $2 billion.
GM is going to replace all battery packs in 2017-2019 Bolts and will replace defective battery modules (partial replacement) in 2020-2022 Bolt EVs and EUVs. Repaired Bolts will come with a new eight-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty. GM will prioritize customers who have Bolts at the highest risk, but they’re not ready to release a timeline for completion, pending battery availabilty from the supplier. It’s looking like it may take a full year to complete the recall repairs.
As of December 2021, GM has started scheduling dealership visits to install a software upgrade for all eligible Bolts. The upgrade is “designed to detect specific abnormalities that might indicate a damaged battery in Bolt EVs and EUVs by monitoring the battery performance and alerting customers of any anomalies.” GM has not yet implemented over-the-air updates like Tesla, Ford and Volkswagen, so Bolt owners will have to visit a dealership to get the software fix.
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CarEdge’s Take: Should You Consider the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Don’t rush out to buy a 2022 Bolt. There’s a stop-sale in effect, so you couldn’t buy one even if you tried. Considering the immense resources GM has thrown at this debacle, once all Bolts are fixed, it’s highly likely that the Bolt will return to its former glory as a true EV bargain worth checking out. The automaker’s engineers MUST have thoroughly investigated and fixed the problems, right? Unfortunately, due to LG’s battery production backlog, the Bolt probably won’t be worth considering until 2023.
Let’s time travel to 2023 together and forget about the battery recall for just a moment. The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt offers 259 miles of range, a modernized interior and refreshing exterior, all for a base MSRP of $31,000. In several states, the effective price of a 2022 Bolt can easily fall under $27,000, even though it no longer qualifies for the federal EV tax credit. If revisions to the EV tax credit ever make their way through congress, the Bolt might even become a $20k car. That’s a steal! Proceed with caution and patience, and give GM and LG time to clean up their mess. Plus, there are dozens of other EVs arriving on American roads in 2022. The EV market is far different heading into 2022 than it was when the first generation Bolt arrived in 2016.
Even with the battery fixes, the Bolt still suffers from a poor charging rate of just 55 kW. If you roadtrip often, that will be an issue. Whereas the new 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 can recharge from 10-80% (over 200 miles of range) in just 18 minutes, the same charging session would take a full hour in a 2022 Bolt. If you’re on the market for a budget EV, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt just might be worth a test drive, but not until GM wraps up the ongoing recall fixes. And that might take a whole year. Stay tuned to CarEdge for the latest EV information, car reviews and industry insights.
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