Update: ‘A bigger Buick EV is reportedly arriving in 2027’ section added.
On June 1, 2022, GM unveiled the Buick Wildcat EV concept and announced the launch of the first Buick EV in North America in 2024. The concept EV, a 2+2 coupe, previews the brand’s new global design language, which debuted on the Buick Electra E5 in December 2022. The first Buick EV that makes it to U.S. dealers will likely be a capable SUV, possibly called ‘Buick Electra E6’ or ‘Buick Electra E7.’
Video Source: YouTube/Buick
Trademarks
GM has filed trademark applications for the names Electra E1 through E9, and it will use some of them for its Buick EVs. President Mark Reuss confirmed the return of the Electra name during the annual investor day event on November 17, 2022:
We’ll bring back the Electra name. No, it’s not a Deuce and a Quarter. Don’t think that. If you remember that—I’m old, but I do. But we’re bringing back the Electra name because it’s fun, it’s cool, as we electrify Buick. And that’s in China in ’23, and in the U.S. there in ’24.
Mark Reuss, President, GM (2022 Investor Day on November 17, 2022)
Lyriq-sized EV
One of the Buick EVs planned for the U.S. will likely be a Cadillac Lyriq-class model. We know there’s no way GM will call it the Buick Electra E4, as Reuss said the Electra E4 will be a model smaller than the Electra E5, a model similar to the Chevrolet Equinox EV. Moreover, the usual way of christening a higher-class (and bigger) vehicle is with a higher number. So, the Buick-badged Cadillac Lyriq-class EV could be either Buick Electra E6 or Buick Electra E7.
The Buick Electra E4—this is for China only, and again, beneath the E5, but a beautiful vehicle for China.
Mark Reuss, President, GM (2022 Investor Day on November 17, 2022)
Specifications
The Buick Electra E6 or Buick Electra E7 could measure around 197 inches in length and carry a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery pack as standard. We doubt it’ll be as fancy as Cadillac’s Lyriq, but it’ll likely be the most premium Buick launched to date. GM could introduce it in a ~325 hp single-motor RWD variant and add a ~450 hp dual-motor AWD variant later. The former could deliver an EPA-est. range of over 300 miles.
Price & Release Date
Prices of the E6/E7 may start at around USD 55,000. In an announcement on November 17, 2022, GM said it will build EVs at five of its assembly plants in North America. This model could go to one of its U.S. factories. Core components, including the battery cells, should come from a North American production facility, making the EV eligible for the incentives under the Clean Vehicle Credit program. We expect to see the Buick Electra E6/Buick Electra E7 at dealerships by mid-2024.
A bigger Buick EV is reportedly arriving in 2027
On January 20, 2023, GM Authority published a report indicating that the Buick brand’s future launches will use a new BEV Prime platform. According to this report, a Buick D-segment electric crossover based on the BEV Prime platform is in the pipeline, to be launched in 2027.
People aware of the development suggest that BEV Prime would be a more premium and updated version of the BEV3 that underpins the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Equinox EV, and Cadillac Celestiq. It could offer higher energy storage capacity with space for larger batteries, which would mean more range and a higher performance.
Featured Image Source: Buick
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.