GM has a big plan for an entire family of affordable electric cars

The Chevy Bolt is returning to showrooms with a promise to be as affordable as ever. But for General Motors, this is just the beginning. The company is planning to launch an entire "family" of low-cost electric cars, with the new lineup giving buyers what they really want: EVs that don't empty their bank accounts.

General Motors President Mark Reuss spilled the beans on this new strategy on the recent episode of the Plugged-In podcast. He explained that the upcoming 2027 Chevy Bolt is just the first step. Following the Bolt, GM will introduce several new models. Reuss calls this a "family of things that is low priced."

What does "family" mean? Reuss explained that these new electric cars will share the Bolt's compact size and, most importantly, its price tag. The goal is to sell these new EVs for "around $30,000." Some might cost a little more, some a little less, but all will target the budget-friendly end of the market. And no, they won't all be named "Bolt." GM is planning different models for different tastes.

The returning Chevy Bolt is not the same car that was discontinued. The new model will launch early next year, and it is a "limited run" vehicle. It gets a fresh design and new technology. The biggest change is inside: a 65 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack, known as LFP. This battery type is key to lowering costs. The launch-edition Bolt will sell for $29,990.

Because GM calls the new Bolt a "limited run," it leaves a big question: what comes next? This is where things get interesting. Mark Reuss hinted that GM is looking to fill "white spaces" in the market. These are types of vehicles that customers want but that no one is building yet. The most obvious white space is a small, truly affordable electric pickup truck.

Right now, the electric truck market is all about monsters. Giant, heavy, and very expensive trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning and GM's own Hummer EV and Silverado EV dominate the space. But many buyers don't want or need such a huge vehicle. Ford proved this with its small, gas-powered Maverick pickup, which has been a runaway success. The only electric trucks like that on the horizon are the Slate and Telo, but there are more questions than answers surrounding their future.

A small electric pickup from GM with a $30,000 price tag could completely shake up the EV market. Other companies see this opportunity, too. Ford is reportedly working on its own affordable electric pickup, and Slate is even aiming for a price in the mid-$20,000s. GM has toyed with this idea before, and it seems like the perfect "white space" for a member of its new affordable EV family.

Besides a small truck, what else could GM be planning? The safest bet is another compact crossover SUV. This is the most popular type of vehicle in America. Since the new Bolt is a "limited run," GM will need a permanent model to fill that important slot.

This new electric SUV would be smaller and cheaper than the company's other offering, the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which starts around $36,000. Don't hold your breath for a small sedan or hatchback. GM, like most American carmakers, has largely given up on those segments.

The secret to building all these different electric cars so cheaply is in technology. Reuss suggested the new family will use a "different architecture" and new "battery chemistry." This means GM is developing a whole new platform from the ground up, designed specifically to be as efficient and cheap to build as possible.

This includes using more LFP batteries, like in the new Bolt, or perhaps new cells like lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries, all designed to cut costs. This race to lower production costs is one of the biggest battles in the auto industry, as rivals like Ford are doing the exact same thing.

General Motors is making its strategy clear. The company knows that for electric cars to truly take over, they can't all be high-priced luxury items. The new Chevy Bolt is the opening act, but the main show will be a full lineup of affordable, practical EVs for everyday people.

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