The new 2026 Chevy Bolt EUV is set for a comeback to the market with new tech and upgraded performance. Will it be the small EV you want to drive?
Bolt production ended in 2023, but it was met with negative press from a strong public outcry to bring it back. The Bolt is the best-selling EV for GM, but that really doesn’t mean much. Still, this successful, small, and affordable EV was canceled not because of poor sales or disinterest but because the EV market moved on from what the Bolt offered.
GM is bringing back the name with the 2025 Chevy Bolt EUV, which could be the right choice for many drivers.
The right platform makes a huge difference
The main reason given for discontinuing the Bolt lineup is the lack of profits from this vehicle. The Bolt EV and EUV became cost-prohibitive for GM to build them. Toss in the new Ultium platform, which is much better than the outdated build of the Bolt, and it was easy to see how this small EV might join its predecessor, the Chevy Volt, in the scrap heap.
Thankfully, the public outcry forced GM to take a harder look at the Bolt and find a way to utilize the Ultium EV platform for this tiny electric SUV. This led to GM announcing the return of the 2026 Chevy Bolt EUV. The regular EV model won’t return.
This new platform should give the new model a better driving range and charging speeds. Considering the old Bolt EUV provided 247 miles of maximum driving range and charged at 55 kW, this shouldn’t be too difficult to achieve.
Other shortcoming will be fixed
As one of the first EVs to hit the market, the original Bolt lineup had a few issues. This new model won’t be a completely new build but will have some important updates. This means we should see a new Bolt EUV that’s easily recognized but has several improvements, including:
- Ultium battery platform
- The latest safety equipment and technology
- GM’s Super Cruise system
- Access to Tesla’s Supercharging network using the NACS connector
Using the Ultium battery platform allows GM to keep the costs of building this new EV down. This was a serious roadblock with the first generation.
What does this new model look like?
Don’t expect a clean-sheet redesign of the 2026 Chevy Bolt EUV. This new model could look and feel extremely similar to the deleted model. Although the design hasn’t been revealed, it will be a subcompact crossover that resembles the original model. A few minor adjustments could appear, including a larger rear opening and higher brake lights that make them more visible on the road. Otherwise, this fun little EV should be recognizable and easy to spot on the road.
How much driving range will the new Bolt EUV offer?
As expected, this new model will use a less expensive version of the Ultium platform than most other models. This helps keep the costs down but should improve the driving range of the new Bolt EUV. Like everything else, the driving range hasn’t been confirmed but could be close to 270 miles per charge. This gives you more range than older models but doesn’t put the Bolt above the Equinox EV or Blazer EV in the lineup.
Will this new EV be affordable?
The new 2026 Chevy Bolt EUV could be the leader in the affordable electric vehicle market. If this new model is to slot below the Equinox EV, it must cost less than the $34,995 starting price of the Equinox. This means it might begin at $30,000 before the federal tax credits. This won’t put it at the expected $25,000 for the new Tesla Model 2, but we don’t know for sure if Tesla will achieve this low price point. Once the Federal EV Tax Credit is applied, the new Bolt EUV could cost $22,500, making it affordable for nearly all drivers.
When is the Bolt EUV coming back?
This small, affordable electric SUV skipped 2024 and will skip 2025 but should arrive for the 2026 model year. That means we might see it in the middle of 2025 or near the end as a 2026 model. It should appear at various car shows sometime near the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
The new 2026 Chevy Bolt EUV brings back a successful and popular name with a new platform designed to make this little Chevy better than ever. Will this be the EV you want to drive and enjoy?
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