Chevrolet's Bolt, once the best-selling non-Tesla electric car in the United States, is set to be discontinued in the first quarter of 2027, according to a report from Reuters cited by Chinese outlet D1EV. The model, which was General Motors' first mass-produced battery-electric vehicle (BEV), saw its annual sales peak at over 62,000 units in 2023, making it a benchmark in America's affordable EV segment.
However, demand has since plummeted. In the first half of this year, Chevrolet sold just 4,224 Bolts, and at the current pace, full-year sales are unlikely to exceed 9,500 units—a far cry from its peak. The decline reflects a combination of factors, including the cancellation of the U.S. federal $7,500 EV tax credit, which has eroded the Bolt's price competitiveness, and the model's aging platform, which struggles against a wave of new rivals.
A Troubled Revival
The Bolt had already been slated for discontinuation at the end of 2023, with GM planning to convert its Orion Township plant to build electric pickups. But when the electric pickup market underperformed expectations, GM revived the project, moving production to its Fairfax plant in Kansas. The revived Bolt was positioned as a limited-edition model with upgraded interior and a NACS (North American Charging Standard) port, priced from $27,600.
GM originally planned to build 150,000 units of the revived Bolt, but weak demand has forced a 75% cut in output, with total production during the revival period now expected to be just 35,000 units. Additionally, GM has shifted internal resources toward the Chevrolet Equinox EV, a newer model that is selling noticeably better.
Strategic Shift
The Bolt's demise marks the end of a pioneering era in America's affordable EV market, but it also reflects GM's broader strategic pivot. The automaker is redirecting its EV efforts toward higher-margin midsize and large electric models, according to D1EV. As the Bolt winds down, GM is betting on a more profitable lineup to compete in an increasingly crowded and price-sensitive market.
