End of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV Production in the BEV2 Platform and Its Implications for the Chevy and Chevrolet-Silicon Electric Vehicles

The BEV2 platform was built on for the Bolt EV and EUV, so they were never in a good position. The Cadillac, Hummer, and GMC Sierra electric vehicles were the first to use the Ultium battery architecture. For its part, Chevy is planning to launch a trio of Ultium-built EVs, including the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV.

The end of production of the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV is a huge blow to affordable EV ownership. The Bolt is one of the cheapest EVs currently on the market, with a starting price of around $24,000. When you apply the $7,500 EV tax credit, the price could be even lower.

But since the release of the Tesla Model 3 in 2018, Bolt sales have been less than impressive. Most American car buyers prefer larger SUVs and trucks over the Bolt, because the Bolt’s compact Hatchback size is not what they are looking for. Bolts were recalled due to a flawed battery that left the vehicle prone to fires.

The production of electric trucks, such as the Chevy Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV, were in order to shift operations at its assembly plant in Michigan.

“We’ll need this capacity because our trucks more than measure up to our customers’ expectations, and we’ll demonstrate that work and EV range are not mutually exclusive terms for Chevrolet and GMC trucks,” Barra told investors.

But in recent years the model has been dogged by battery issues that could cause Bolts to catch fire, prompting two recalls by GM and warnings to drivers that they should park their vehicles outside after the battery is charged.