Update (September 10, 2025): ‘Early 2026 Sales Launch’ revised with production details.
The next-gen Chevrolet Bolt has been confirmed for the 2027 model year, and enters production later this year. Here are the key features and other aspects that we expect on what will become one of America’s cheapest electric cars.
1. Crossover Design
The next-generation Chevrolet Bolt will debut solely as a crossover, replacing the hatchback body style of the original. Based on recent test prototypes, it’s a heavily revised version of the previous Bolt EUV, with a cleaner and more mature look.
At the front, the lighting is split into slim upper DRLs and stacked main units in the bumper. The grille area is smoother, with a small closed-off panel above a patterned section, while a larger lower intake with gloss-black trim lends it a stronger SUV stance.
At the rear, new horizontal brake lamps form a Y-like shape, linked by a gloss-black strip carrying the Chevy bowtie. The bumper gains wide reflector elements and a reshaped lower section in contrasting black, giving the tail a broader, more planted appearance.
2. Revised Dashboard
Spy shots of test prototypes indicate that the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt will reuse several interior components from the discontinued Bolt EUV. However, the dashboard has been redesigned in response to customer feedback, and the front cabin now features a flat floor design without a bulky center console.
We’re able to spot two wireless charging pads, a column-mounted shifter, tactile switches and dials positioned under a larger infotainment screen for HVAC functions, a rectangular fully-digital instrument cluster, and the updated infotainment software.
We also notice premium details such as a satin metallic finish on the edges of the drive selector and indicator stalks, along with HVAC dials featuring a knurled metallic texture and chrome-effect rings, which should improve overall feel.
3. LFP Battery
A significant change is the introduction of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery cells. The iron-based cells are cheaper, last longer, and handle temperature fluctuations better than traditional Lithium-ion batteries, though they have a lower energy density. The battery packs will be imported from Chinese supplier CATL, according to The Wall Street Journal.
We expect the new Chevy Bolt to aim for approximately 260 miles of range (EPA-est.) and offer improved charging times, with 100 miles added in just 30 minutes of DC fast charging.
4. NACS Charging Port
The next-gen Bolt will include a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port, allowing access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network of over 23,500 stalls across North America. This addition will address customer demand for a denser charging infrastructure.
5. Heat Pump Integration
One customer concern with the Bolt EUV has been reduced range in cold weather. To address this, GM is likely to include a heat pump in the new model, improving energy efficiency during winter driving. It introduced the ‘Ultium Energy Recovery’ system on new-gen models like the Blazer and Equinox EVs, and an adaptation of the same technology is expected to feature in the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt.
6. Autonomous Robotaxi Version
GM will introduce a robotaxi based on the next-gen Bolt. This transition from the Cruise Origin platform to the Bolt platform aims to simplify scaling and regulatory compliance while taking advantage of the Bolt’s existing design and infrastructure.
7. Repurposed Platform
The new Bolt won’t share its underpinning with the Equinox or Blazer EVs. Instead, it will use the reengineered BEV2, incorporating some modules from GM’s latest EV toolkit (formerly branded ‘Ultium’). This strategy ensures cost savings and faster development times, bringing the EV to market quickly.
8. Streamlined Trim Walk
In 2023, Mary Barra, GM’s Chair & CEO, unveiled the “Winning With Simplicity” strategy, aimed at reducing trim levels, selectable options, and build combinations across product lines. For the Bolt, this means a streamlined variant lineup in the future.
However, optional features which were available on the Bolt EUV, including Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving assist, panoramic sunroof, heated/ventilated front seats, and appearance packages (like the ‘Redline’ Edition) are expected to continue in the second generation.
9. New Infotainment System
The next-gen Bolt is expected to feature a customized Android-based infotainment system, marking GM’s shift away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This in-house platform is available in models like the Blazer EV and Equinox EV, and is a generational upgrade over the system offered in the first-gen Bolt.
10. Sub-$30,000 Pricing
The next-gen Bolt will be priced slightly higher than the 2023 model, which started at $28,795 (Bolt EUV version). Mark Reuss, GM’s President, has stated that it will remain below $30,000, offering a similar value as the earlier Bolt EUV while offering upgraded features and technology. This pricing strategy should keep the Bolt competitive as one of the most affordable electric cars in the U.S.
11. Early 2026 Sales Launch
They’ll be in production by the end of the year with the first sales occurring early next.
Scott Bell, VP, Global Chevrolet, talking about the next-gen Bolt in an internal Q&A published on August 8, 2025
The Bolt’s production will shift to GM’s Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, which is undergoing modifications and retooling to accommodate the new model from late 2025. Bloomberg reported on September 4, 2025, that GM will commence production in December on a single shift instead of two, aligning output with EV demand and market growth in the U.S.
Also See: 8 Affordable Electric Cars expected in the U.S. (2025-2027)
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the next-gen Bolt
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
