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Chevy Bolt EV is the Comeback Kid

by Green Car Journal EditorsOctober 23, 2025
GM revives a proven formula with the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, blending next-generation EV tech with affordability, practicality, and the spirit that defined its legacy.

GM is bringing back its Chevy Bolt EV for the 2027 model year, fulfilling the wishes of drivers who pined for the affordable and practical electric car that helped mainstream EVs. This new edition builds on the idea that electric mobility can be accessible without compromise and, as it happens, at a reasonable price.

When it first arrived, the Chevy Bolt marked a major shift. As Green Car Journal noted then, it made long-range electric driving attainable for many. That milestone established a foundation that today’s Bolt inherits, adding modern range, tech, and refinement.

Chevy Bolt EV Offers Real Value

The 2027 Chevy Bolt LT launches at $29,990, including destination charges. A lower-priced LT variant will follow at $28,995. Tesla has yet to offer an affordable EV close that price range, though it has long promised to sell an entry-level model at  $35,000…something it did only briefly five years ago. Chevrolet estimates a 255 mile range for the Bolt, the most for any EV under $30,000.

Production begins early next year as a limited-run model. Alongside the Equinox EV, the new Bolt anchors Chevrolet’s commitment to accessible electric vehicles. Together, these models are projected to account for most of the brand’s EV sales through 2026.

Tech Refined for Efficiency

Chevy Bolt EV dashboard.

The 2027 Bolt uses GM’s latest X76 electric drive unit, developed for efficiency and durability. A permanent-magnet motor designed with reduced rare-earth content lowers cost and environmental impact, while silicon-carbide inverter materials limit energy loss between battery and drive system.

Shared across GM’s growing EV portfolio, this hardware helps keep costs in check. The 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery offers robust thermal stability and consistent performance. Blended regenerative braking with the benefit of one-pedal driving returns energy to the battery pack while encouraging smoother brake-free operation.

Inside the Chevy Bolt EV

Chevy Bolt EV display.

Inside, the Bolt EV evolves toward a more driver-focused layout. An 11.3-inch infotainment display and 11-inch configurable instrument screen give clear digital feedback while keeping key functions within reach. Physical controls for volume and climate remain for quick, tactile access.

Practicality stays central to the Bolt’s identity. There is open console storage, multiple USB-C ports, and available wireless phone charging. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an optional panoramic sunroof contribute to a comfortable cabin experience.

Charging and Connected Features

Chevy Bolt EV NACS chargeport compatible with Tesla Supercharger network.,

Charging performance represents one of the Bolt’s most notable upgrades. With 150 kW DC fast-charging, the car charges from 10 to 80 percent in about 26 minutes, more than twice as fast as before. It is also Chevrolet’s first model equipped with a NACS port, broadening compatibility across U.S. charging networks including Tesla's reliable Superchargers.

Google built-in connectivity now ties navigation and charging together. Google Maps routes include live charger availability and real-time range data, while automatic battery preconditioning optimizes fast-charging stops. Super Cruise driver-assist integrates with Google Maps to highlight hands-free routes and manage lane guidance on highway interchanges.

Chevy Bolt EV Capabilities

Design updates keep the familiar hatchback profile but introduce sleeker details. Seven exterior colors and 17-inch wheel choices allow personalization, while a new RS trim adds gloss-black accents, roof rails, and exclusive badging.

More than 20 standard safety and driver-assistance technologies include Intersection Collision Mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Bolt’s Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) functionality enables power sharing with properly equipped homes, signaling GM’s expanding role in EV energy integration.

Continuing a Defining Legacy

The original Chevy Bolt introduced for 2017 was more than an efficient commuter. It was a social and technological marker, illustrating that electric cars could deliver meaningful range and practicality without a luxury-level price. As Green Car Journal noted at the time, the Bolt’s affordability placed EV ownership within reach of a broader audience, reshaping expectations for the segment.

Ten years later, the 2027 Bolt continues that legacy with improved capability, connectivity, and value. It builds on the same philosophy that made the first model a success: deliver real-world range, usable space, and forward-looking technology at an attainable price.

The new Bolt is set for assembly at GM’s Fairfax Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, and will reach showrooms in early 2026. Its return reflects a milestone in the electric vehicle market, positioning a once-again-mainstream Chevy Bolt as an affordable and desirable EV that can help lead the field toward a truly accessible electric future.