Chevy announced its Equinox EV rollout plan today on a conference call to journalists. It acknowledged being late but also had some pleasant surprises for its new lowest-cost EV.
The Chevy Equinox will launch at a much higher price than initially anticipated and it will launch a few months later than expected. Initially scheduled for “Fall 2023”, the Equinox will start rolling off the line at the beginning of 2024. Order banks will open up next week and GM says it already has “200,000 hand raisers”. So it seems like it will be quite popular.
The initial front-wheel drive version will cost about $49,000 while the AWD version will cost about $3400 more. They will likely qualify for a $7500 discount for Federal and more state and utility discounts as well.
The launch models that will be available early next year are the 2RS FWD ($48,995) and 2RS AWD ($52,395). The 2RS FWD was recently EPA-certified at 319 miles of range. Features include:
- 17.7-inch-diagonal color touch-screen
- Multi-color ambient lighting
- Chevy Safety Assist, HD Surround Vision Camera, Safety Alert Seat, Reverse Auto Braking
- Super Cruise and Adaptive Cruise Control
- Google Built-In
- Wireless Charging
- Autosense Power Liftgate
- 21-inch black wheels
- Black Evotex interior with red accents
- Heated front seats and heated, flat-bottom steering wheel
- One-Pedal Driving and Regen on Demand
- Dual-level Charge Cord
- Towing Wiring Provisions
- 11.5kW AC Charging Capable
- 150kW DC Fast Charging Capable
But what about the plan to deliver a $30,000 vehicle that goes 250 miles that CEO Mary Barra touted on last year’s earnings call? Well, Chevy mostly missed the price piece and smacked the range out of the park.
Chevy now says that at the end of next year (2024), Chevy will begin deliveries of the $30,000 model except it will cost $34,995. And about that range…
The range however is quite impressive at 319 miles and the Federal, state, utility, and other discounts will make this a mid-$20K car or less. That’s a pretty compelling package overall with 319 miles of range and I’d still assume 150kW charging speed. In fact, the $35k model will have the same battery as the ones going on sale next week.
Top comment by Pete Za
I like how that last graph is titled "Something for Everyone" and only has SUVs (excepting the Bolt, which is going away). Hint: not everyone wants an SUV.
Some other notes:
- Chevy will not extend the Bolt builds in the Orion plant as it delays retooling for the Silverado.
- Chevy Bolt EVs will be available until March 2024 in many markets by the time they wind down production which will end in December.
- No word on the more rugged Equinox Activ trim which was spotted in a video by GMAuthority and is also likely slated for 2025 in China
Electrek’s take:
NGL it is hard to take Chevy at its word on timing and prices at this point. There’s been a ton of movement on its EV plans and we could easily see all of these plans slide further down the road with prices that may also fluctuate. Also, that price still says “starting around $34,995″.
However, the $30K $35K Equinox will be a solid deal with Federal Tax Credits available upfront. Also, it is interesting that there will be only 1 battery for this vehicle and it will take the base model a very respectable 319 miles. Also why not an RWD option like the Blazer?
Why not continue to build the very popular Bolts during the newly created gap between Silverado production? I imagine it isn’t profitable and supply chain parts orders can’t just be spooled up at the drop of a hat.
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