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General Motors is well-recognized in the automotive industry for its quality vehicles. The EV1 from GM was the first ever electric vehicle to enter the automotive market in the late 20th century. However, the company has been making other EVs ever since, such as the Bolt electric hatchback.

The Bolt has been upgraded progressively over the years, aiming to create the most affordable EV with quality features. Its latest variant is the Chevy Bolt EUV, an electric vehicle that took the automotive industry by surprise when it was released in 2021. So, what do the letters EUV in its name mean?

The Chevy Bolt EUV wasn’t always an EUV

A lot of effort has been made by GM to make the Bolt a success. The history of the Chevy Bolt EUV can be traced back to the first hatchback model. According to AutoEvolution, with electric competition on the market from the Nissan Leaf and Tesla EVs, the Bolt EV was introduced by Chevrolet in 2016.

With a range of 249.8 miles, the Chevy Bolt EV became the most affordable electric car of its time and maintained the hatchback body style. Later, a bigger and better Bolt model was introduced in 2021: the Chevrolet Bolt EUV.

What do the letters EUV stand for in the Chevy Bolt EUV?

Chevy Bolt EUV (electric utility vehicle) rear badging seen at the 2022 New York International Auto Show
Chevy Bolt EUV rear badging | Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Chevy Bolt EUV is different because, firstly, it is fairly affordable compared to many of its competitors and is barely more expensive than the original Bolt EV. Additionally, the exterior styling for this Bolt is more rugged, and it has a crossover SUV styling and space. Hence, its name is Electric Utility Vehicle (EUV).

Edmunds claims that the Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a better version of the Bolt EV since it is 6 inches longer, offering a spacious legroom of 39.1 inches. The Bolt EUV also comes with a built-in sunroof, which ensures a sufficient flow of air, and advanced hands-free driving technology.

The Bolt nameplate took a heavy toll but is making a comeback

The Chevy Bolt EV and EUV models have faced a lot of bad press in recent years, most famously due to their faulty batteries, as outlined by the Chevrolet media site. Additionally, several smaller-scale recalls have made the news, including problems with seat belt pretensioners being a fire hazard.

These issues have made drivers question whether they should trust Bolt models. In order to battle bad press, the prices for the Bolt EV and EUV models were reduced. According to PCMag, the Bolt EV dropped from $37,495 in 2021 to a starting price of $25,600 in 2023. On the other hand, the Bolt EUV dropped from $33,500 in 2022 to a starting price of $27,200 in 2023.

Dropping their prices has also boosted the Bolt EVs and the EUV’s sales. A new model will also be available, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Redline Edition. This refined level is destined to reinstate Bolt as the best and most affordable electric vehicle in America and beyond. 

Related What’s the Difference Between the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV?

What’s the Difference Between the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV?