The Chevrolet Blazer EV is simply reaching patrons’ driveways, and the automaker is already twiddling with the lineup and trim choices. Chevy dropped the entry-level 1LT trim, leaving the 2LT as the brand new, costlier base trim. Chevy confirmed energy output ranges for the primary time, nonetheless, they usually’re surprisingly stable.
Pour one out for affordability. The bottom 1LT, slated to hold a base MSRP of $44,995, is out. Whereas Chevy hasn’t detailed pricing for the FWD 2LT mannequin, the truth that the AWD 2LT is sort of $12,000 extra is a foul signal for the Blazer’s newly minted base trim. The sporty RS trim provides just a few luxuries and begins at greater than $60,000.
The excellent news is that the Blazer EV will supply cheap efficiency in all configurations. The 2LT AWD and RS fashions will ship 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, whereas the SS will convey a powerful 557 horsepower. Chevy hasn’t confirmed specs for the bottom 2LT but, however we would count on it to be just like the bottom Equinox EV’s output of 210 horsepower.
After all, there’s additionally the Equinox EV, which Chevy believes may fill the void left by the most affordable Blazer’s departure. In the interim, it’s anticipated to retain its around-$30,000 beginning value, and Chevy representatives advised Automobile and Driver that the automaker believes high Equinox EV trims are a stable stand-in for the bottom Blazer.
None of this addresses the problem of sellers’ pricing antics, which may add much more to the Blazer EV’s sticker. There are a number of stories of sellers marking the SUV up by $5,000 or $10,000 even if patrons aren’t leaping on the car. Provide can even doubtless be constrained at first as a result of UAW strike and GM’s already tight manufacturing capabilities, which may additional impression pricing and markups.
Whereas we’re nonetheless within the early days for Normal Motors’ Ultium EVs, seeing a lot churn in pricing proper out of the gate is a discouraging omen for future affordability. Regardless of Tesla decreasing costs and updates in federal EV tax credit, electrical fashions are nonetheless considerably costlier than comparable fuel autos, and addressing the nation’s woefully under-developed charging community is one other downside fully.
