The Chevy Bolt EV never got a fighting chance as GM flips back to gas cars

The new Chevy Bolt EV just went into production at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas in November, but it won’t be built there for long. Once Bolt production ends, like in 2027, GM said only internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will be made at the facility.

GM to end Chevy Bolt EV production for ICE vehicles

After introducing the new and improved 2027 Chevy Bolt EV last October, GM said it would be available for a limited time but didn’t specify for how long.

Well, now we’re finding out a little more about the Bolt’s limited run. GM announced on Thursday (via Bloomberg) that it’s ending production of the Buick Envision, which is currently made in China, with plans to begin building it at its assembly plant in Kansas, starting in 2028.

The Envision has been built in China and imported into the US since 2017, but GM is facing higher tariffs thanks to the Trump Administration, which went into effect last year.

Onshoring production “strengthens GM’s domestic manufacturing footprint and supports US jobs,” GM said in a statement to Reuters.

Although GM just began building the new Bolt EV in Kansas using LFP batteries from China’s CATL, in November, it’s already planning to convert the facility to produce only ICE vehicles.

Chevy’s gas-powered Equinox will join it in 2027. With plans to begin building the Envision at the plant in 2028, Bolt production will likely end in about a year and a half.

Outside of Tesla, GM sold more EVs in the US last year than any automaker, primarily due to the affordable Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac’s growing luxury lineup. The Bolt EV, starting at under $30,000, was designed to position Chevy as a leader in the affordable EV segment.

GM even said a “next-gen affordable EV,” outside of the Bolt, would be built in Kansas after announcing plans to invest $4 billion to ramp up domestic production last year.

The 2027 model was expected to be the first of a family of Bolts. If and when we see those, it remains up in the air. GM didn’t go into detail, but a Chevrolet spokesperson told Car and Driver that “When we revealed Bolt in October, we said it’d be a limited-run model, which we are bringing back due to strong customer demand.”

The spokesperson added that “We also said it would account for the majority of EV volume for Chevrolet in 2026, alongside the Chevrolet Equinox EV. We reiterate that today.”

While GM is already planning to wind down Bolt production, again, it hasn’t even reached dealerships yet. The 2027 Chevy Bolt EV is now on its way to dealerships, starting at $28,595 with an EPA-estimated driving range of 262 miles.

GM’s announcement comes after the company said it would take about a $6 billion hit earlier this month after pulling back on its EV plans.

Electrek’s Take

While GM is planning to convert the Fairfax Assembly plant for ICE vehicle production, it didn’t confirm that the Bolt will be canceled altogether.

If the new Bolt is a hit, GM could still decide to extend it, but that’s a big if. Starting at under $30,000, the Bolt is one of the most affordable EVs in the US this year, alongside its old rival, the Nissan Leaf, which was also upgraded with a longer driving range, faster charging, and improved styling.

Another possibility is that GM could replace it with the “next-gen affordable EV” if Bolt sales don’t meet expectations.

GM is using new tech, such as LFP batteries, for the first time in the new Bolt and could apply it to other vehicles, such as the Equinox.

Then again, GM could drop the affordable EVs altogether to focus on gas and hybrid vehicles, which wouldn’t be a complete surprise.

Last year, GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, Ultium Cells, announced plans to upgrade its Tennessee battery plant to produce lower-cost LFP battery cells. The company was expected to begin commercial operation by late 2027.

If you’re looking to get your hands on the new Chevy Bolt or Equinox EV while they are available, you can check the links below to see what’s in your area.

• 2027 Chevy Bolt EV near you
• 2026 Chevy Equinox EV near you