Electric vehicles have taken the automotive industry by storm. Though the increase in gas prices and concerns about creating sustainable vehicles have driven the technology forward in recent years, the concept of electric vehicles has been around as long as cars themselves. Attempts were being made to create an electric carriage as early as the mid-19th century. In the United States, the first electric vehicle was cruising down the road at a majestic 14 mph in 1891.
Obviously, EV technology had a long way to go in those early years. Many of the advancements necessary to make electric vehicles a viable option weren’t available until this century. Chevrolet has been at the forefront of that innovation, releasing the first mass-market plug-in hybrid car––the Chevy Volt––in 2011, following it up with the Spark EV in 2014 and the Bolt EV in 2017. Since then, the brand has continued to evolve and has become one of the most innovative manufacturers of electric vehicles for sale today.
The 2024 Chevrolet EV lineup has captured that spirit of industry, bringing three of the manufacturer’s best-selling and most well-known models into the electric era. Three EVs are in the lineup for this model year, and all three stand out as worthy additions. The biggest surprise is what’s not in the lineup this year: the popular Chevy Bolt EV. Let’s take a look at the three models that make up the 2024 Chevrolet EV lineup and the one that didn’t make the cut.
2024 Equinox EV: Electric Elegance With a Boost
A pleasing blend of sporty SUV capabilities paired with modern technology that gives you the best that both have to offer, the Equinox steps out in electric vehicle form with true style. The sleek lines of this modern SUV are sure to put a smile on your face and make getting into your car one of your favorite parts of the day. The roomy interior will have you riding in comfort, with several quality-of-life upgrades and extra storage space.
Front-wheel drive models get up to an estimated 319 miles of range on a full battery. That’s plenty of mileage for trips around town or a journey over the river and through the woods. With an estimated zero to 60 mph time of 5.9 seconds for all-wheel drive models, there’s plenty of get-up-and-go in the 288 hp under the hood. With 1,500 lbs of maximum towing capacity, you can bring along a few of your favorite things on those weekend excursions.
The cargo space has a generous 57.2 cu.ft. of available storage room. The Equinox EV seats up to five people, and the back seat can be folded down if additional cargo space is needed. Why sacrifice style for practicality? The Equinox EV would argue that you don’t have to.
2024 Blazer EV: An Icon Deserves an Impressive Upgrade
After first rolling off the assembly line in 1969, the Blazer quickly secured its place as one of the most well-known and well-loved Chevy SUVs. Over the years, it has evolved from a rugged off-road model to a sporty midsize SUV. With that in mind, it just seems right that it was one of the models picked to get the EV treatment as Chevy converts more of its lines to electricity.
This version of the Blazer still has the hearty capability that has made it popular over the last five decades. Early Chevy estimates have listed the zero to 60 mph time at under four seconds with the Wide Open Watts mode. With an estimated range of 324 miles in rear-wheel drive models, it goes quite the distance on a single charge. Two technological features–– Regen On Demand and One Pedal Driving––help extend the range by recapturing the vehicle’s kinetic energy when decelerating.
The LT, RS, and SS trim options share an eye-catching exterior that emphasizes the SUV’s curves with stylistic angles and adds sleekness with long lines. The redesigned interior has bold splashes of color with touches of chrome accents alongside an 11-inch Driver Information Display and 17.7-inch Display Screen. The Blazer EV also has a range of safety features worth noting, including Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Forward Collision Alert, all aimed at keeping you safe and your Blazer EV a perfect combination of brains and beauty for many miles to come.
2024 Silverado EV: Electric Pickups Bring the Brawn
Who said that electric trucks have to look like something out of a science fiction movie? The Silverado EV has sleek, modern lines that are bound to turn heads wherever it goes. With an estimated range of 400 miles per charge, that’s a lot of room to travel.
Don’t let the style of the Silverado EV or the fact it’s an electric vehicle fool you into thinking it’s not the same capable Silverado that has become a beloved pickup over the decades. In some cases, it has even improved on the non-electric model with an impressive amount of bed space, including the Multiflex Midgate, a hatch that opens into the cab for hauling items of unusual length. A secondary eTrunk provides additional storage under the hood.
The Silverado EV has a robust 785 lb-ft of torque and 754 hp with the Wide Open Watts feature. It can tow up to 10,000 lbs, proving that a full-sized EV pickup can offer everything you need to get the job done. Additionally, this impressive EV offering has a 17.7-inch display screen, Google built-in, and a spacious center console in an interior that will make the roads you travel even more pleasant.
Bolt EV: The End of the Road
The discontinuation of the Chevy Bolt EV is a bit of a head-scratcher. It has been one of the best-selling electric cars on the market, with sales increasing by 54 percent in 2022 and 63 percent in 2023. Despite this, Chevy announced in mid-2023 that the Bolt EV and slightly larger Bolt EUV would be discontinued at the end of the year.
While there has been no official statement from Chevy explaining why the Bolt EV has been scrubbed from the lineup, internet speculation has pointed to several possible reasons. It is important here to note that this is merely conjecture. Without a statement from Chevy itself, we can only call these educated guesses.
One theory surrounds the cost of producing the Bolt EV. Speculation is that each car cost Chevy around $30,000 to build but was priced at $25,600 MSRP. Take that nearly $5,000 difference and multiply it by the 100,000 Bolt EV vehicles sold over the past two years, and you have a substantial loss. If this was the reason behind the decision, then it makes sense to move away from the Bolt EV.
Another theory mentions a recall of the Bolt EV in August 2021 that was issued due to a high risk of the battery pack catching fire. Prior recalls were also issued for similar issues in November 2020, April 2021, and July 2021. There were a total of 19 reported fires, with no known injuries. Though the problem was linked to LG, the battery manufacturer, it’s not a surprise Chevy would choose to focus its attention elsewhere in its electric vehicle lineup.
Ultimately, there are at least two good reasons that Chevy might have canceled the Bolt EV. We don’t know for sure if either of these is the real reason, if it was a combination of the two, or if there was an entirely different reason. All we do know is that Chevy is focusing hard on its admirable goal of moving to an all-electric lineup, and more shake-ups are likely along the way.
Electric Vehicles Are Driving Strong Into the Future
When electric vehicles started to appear on the market, some naysayers didn’t think the trend would take off in any meaningful way. The last few years, however, have proven that EVs are here to stay. As time goes on, they will become even more prolific. The benefits they offer to the environment could be a game changer in the climate crisis. In addition, they can save drivers the wallet-draining pain at the pump that has become an all too common part of driving today.
Chevrolet has been a leader in the EV industry from the modern inception of the electric vehicle and is set to continue holding its place at the front of the pack. Chevy has stated its intention to switch to an all-electric lineup by 2035. It’s a lofty goal, but with over a hundred years of innovation behind it, it will be a journey worth watching.
