Chevy Bolt returns for 2027 as America's cheapest EV at under $30K
GM's bringing back the Chevy Bolt for 2027, and they're pricing it to move. The base LT starts at $28,995, making it the cheapest electric car in America. That undercuts the Tesla Model 3 by roughly $10,000 and beats the Nissan Leaf on both price and range.
The federal EV tax credit expired on September 30, 2025, which makes GM's aggressive pricing even more important. They're offering three trims: LT Comfort at $29,990 and RS at around $32,000. All of them stay under that psychological $30K barrier for the entry-level option.
This isn't just the old Bolt with a fresh coat of paint. GM redesigned it with a 65kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery delivering 255 miles of EPA-estimated range. That's a solid upgrade that makes daily driving and longer trips actually practical without range anxiety.
Charging got a massive boost—DC fast charging now hits 150kW, three times faster than before. That means 10-80% charge in just 26 minutes. The Bolt also gets a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which unlocks Tesla's Supercharger network. That's huge for road trips and day-to-day convenience.
What's really interesting is the bidirectional charging capability. The Bolt can now power your home with up to 9.6kW output through GM Energy systems. That's not just a neat feature—it's practical backup power during outages and a way to use your EV as a battery for your house.
Inside, GM's upgrading to a Google-built infotainment system with larger screens similar to the Equinox EV. The cabin's been redesigned to be more spacious and tech-forward without losing the practical, daily-driver vibe the original Bolt had.
GM's sourcing the LFP batteries from CATL in China for the next two years, then switching to domestic production with LG Energy Solution at their Tennessee facility in late 2027. Manufacturing happens at the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas, with deliveries starting in early 2026.
The use of LFP cells is smart—they're cheaper, safer, and last longer than traditional lithium-ion batteries. That's how GM can finally sell the Bolt at a profit instead of losing money on every unit like they did with the previous generation.
This is exactly what the EV market needs right now. More affordable options mean more people can make the switch to electric. The environmental impact of getting gas cars off the road scales with adoption, and a sub-$30K EV with 255 miles of range and fast charging removes most of the barriers that kept people buying internal combustion engines.
The 2027 Bolt isn't trying to be a luxury car or a performance vehicle. It's trying to be the practical, affordable EV that regular people can actually buy. That's the play that accelerates EV adoption and moves the needle on emissions.
GM learned from the first-gen Bolt's mistakes—the battery recall issues, the lack of profitability, the slow charging. This version fixes all of that while keeping the price accessible. If they execute on the production timeline and hit that $28,995 price point, they're going to sell a lot of these.
More EVs on the road is better for everyone. Lower emissions, less oil dependence, quieter streets, and forcing the entire auto industry to keep pushing electric technology forward. The Bolt's return at this price point is a big deal for making that future happen faster.
Source: General Motors