When Chevy introduced the Blazer EV, it prompt its new battery-electric SUV in 1LT trim would begin at round $45,000 — $15,000 greater than the “round $30,000” determine for its barely smaller sibling, the Chevy Equinox EV. However manufacturing has begun on the Ramos Arizpe manufacturing facility in Mexico and the 1LT entry degree trim is nowhere in sight.
That doesn’t imply it received’t seem someday sooner or later, however if you wish to be the primary in your avenue to park a Chevy Blazer EV in your driveway, it’s gonna price you. The brand new base mannequin is the 2LT, and though it comes with numerous gear not included within the 1LT trim, it additionally carries a hefty price ticket of $56,715, together with a vacation spot charge of $1,396. Sure, that features all-wheel drive — the 1LT was imagined to be front-wheel drive solely — however additionally it is round $12,000 greater than the a lot anticipated 1LT trim degree.
Inside EVs contacted Chevrolet to seek out out what occurred to the 1LT entry degree mannequin and was advised, “The 2LT is now our entry degree trim. We do have extra reasonably priced variants coming in 2024, together with 2LT with FWD. Prospects may qualify for the total $7,500 IRA tax credit score with the Blazer EV.” For comparability functions, the least costly Tesla Mannequin Y prices $49,130 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E begins at $44,795.
Commonplace gear for the Chevy Blazer 2LT features a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital cluster, a heated steering wheel, heated entrance seats and aspect mirrors, wi-fi machine charging, an influence liftgate, adaptive cruise management, and a 360-degree digicam system.
The following step up is the RS trim degree that provides some cool RS badges on the surface, 21″ wheels, a steering wheel with a flat backside, ventilated entrance seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated rear seats and windshield wipers, animated exterior lighting, a HUD and camera-equipped rearview mirror. It lists for $60,215. Each the 2LT and RS variations of the Blazer EV are rated at 279 miles of vary by the EPA.
Blazer EV SS. Picture courtesy of Chevrolet.
A rear-wheel drive model of the RS is rated 320 miles by the EPA and comes with a Bose sound system. It begins at $61,790. And someday subsequent 12 months, the Chevy Blazer SS EV will arrive. It’ll characteristic all-wheel drive with extra highly effective motors and nearly each possibility accessible in Chevrolet’s components bin. Chevy has not launched vary estimates but, however in order for you the most important, baddest electrical Blazer on the block, vary might be not your most necessary consideration.
Following someday subsequent 12 months can be a front-wheel drive 2LT model of the Blazer EV. Chevrolet has not introduced pricing or vary particulars for that automotive as of but.
What’s Going On?
Our readers could have official questions on Chevrolet’s Blazer EV technique. A $12,000 worth hike doesn’t look like the form of factor that can get clients speeding all the way down to their native Chevy supplier to take a look at this subsequent EV from the Bow Tie model. We now have been advised there’s a Chevy Equinox EV coming subsequent 12 months that’s supposed to start out at “round $30,000.” That has gotten numerous curiosity from folks occupied with shopping for a midsize electrical SUV.
Keep in mind that Volvo is bringing its newest providing, the EX30, to America quickly with a beginning worth round $35,000. If Chevrolet pulls the identical disappearing 1LT trim trick with the Equinox EV it’s doing with the Blazer EV, it may discover itself with numerous unsold automobiles on its palms. The value improve for the Blazer EV is stunning at a time when many different producers are chopping the worth of their electrical automobiles. Does Chevrolet know one thing the others don’t?
There may be one potential situation. Perhaps GM is hoping to divert some (or all) of the federal EV tax credit score to its company coffers. As a hypothetical, if enterprise as common takes place on the supplier degree and consumers are in a position to negotiate a decrease the MSRP worth (after the preliminary wave of recent mannequin pleasure settles down), clients will nonetheless be getting a greater outfitted automotive for just a bit more cash than the FWD-only 1LT, after deducting the federal tax credit score, and Chevrolet will get so as to add slightly additional ka-ching to its backside line. Presto! Everyone’s completely satisfied.
We don’t know if that’s the technique going by means of the minds of the bean counters at Chevrolet, however there may be the faint aroma of bait and change right here. How Chevrolet decides to proceed with the rollout of its lineup of electrical automobiles is unknown, but when it could possibly nudge the worth of the Blazer EV and Equinox EV upward, that provides it room to bump the worth (and profitability) of the second technology Chevy Bolt as effectively.
That is all idle hypothesis across the breakfast buffet right here at CleanTechnica headquarters. Examine again with us in about 9 months to see if any of our prognostications become legitimate.
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