This Affordable SUV Benefits From the Cheapest Electric SUV’s Death Sentence
General Motors is sentencing one of its electric SUV nameplates to death. The American automaker is making room in its lineup for different electric vehicles. In the meantime, one affordable SUV could reap huge benefits following the Chevy Bolt EUV’s demise. Hyundai Motor Company can dominate another vehicle segment thanks to this shocking new development.
The cheapest electric vehicles are headed for the junkyard
One of the main reasons that many drivers are avoiding the switch from gas to electric is the extreme price difference between the two vehicle types. EVs tend to be significantly more expensive than internal combustion engine vehicles. Even after federal electric vehicle tax credits, they can cost thousands more than ICE vehicles.
The Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are a breath of fresh air because they’re so affordable. The Bolt EV electric hatchback starts at just $26,500. Its cousin, the Bolt EUV subcompact SUV starts at $27,800. According to Electrek, both models are eligible for a $7,500 federal EV tax credit. So, the Bolt EV’s price is closer to $19K, and the affordable SUV’s price is closer to $20,300.
Chevrolet’s electric vehicles are incredibly affordable. Why is the American automaker sending the two nameplates to the great junkyard in the sky?
The death of the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV arrived in 2016. The electric hatchback impressed consumers and critics early on. It made a huge impact on the market, but the nameplate went through tough times after just a few years of production.
General Motors had to issue a mass recall after Bolt EV and EUV models became a fire risk due to their batteries. The recall and battery fire debacle cost the company over a billion dollars. GM resumed production of the two EVs in 2022 and redesigned them following the recall, but many experts felt that the damage done to the reputations of the electric vehicles was too great.
Reliability is a huge concern in the EV space, as the technology and production process is still in its infancy. Motor1 claims that Chevrolet will discontinue the Bolt EV and EUV models to focus on the production of Ultium-based models. In short, General Motors is doing everything it can to avoid another costly mass recall and bad press surrounding the safety and dependability of its electric vehicles.
It’s the Hyundai Kona Electric’s time to shine
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $33,550. It makes 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. The affordable SUV can travel for 258 miles on a fully-charged battery.
The Hyundai Kona Electric comes standard with heated front seats, proximity key entry with push-button start, and a driver-attention warning. It also includes heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators, a regenerative braking system, and a tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire indicators.
Once the Chevy Bolt EUV is off the market, the Kona Electric will become the most affordable electric SUV. Unless a more affordable model comes along, Hyundai’s subcompact electric SUV will claim the position, automatically bringing more attention to the EV.
