Chevrolet has determined to not construct an entry-level 1LT trim on the brand new 2024 Blazer EV, pushing the beginning worth of the electrical midsize crossover above the $45,000 mark it initially was focusing on.
A front-wheel-drive model of the Blazer EV 2LT, scheduled to reach subsequent yr, would be the base mannequin as a substitute, Chevy mentioned. Blazer EV shipments to dealerships started this week with an all-wheel-drive RS trim that begins at $60,215 together with delivery.
The model didn’t say what the brand new beginning worth for the nameplate will probably be. Chevy mentioned final summer season when revealing the Blazer EV that the fwd 2LT was anticipated to start out round $47,595. A 2LT with awd will go into manufacturing this fall at a worth of $56,715 together with delivery, Chevy mentioned this week.
The deliberate 1LT entry trim that was introduced in July 2022 was to have began round $44,995, Chevy mentioned on the time. A Chevrolet spokesperson advised Automotive Information that the model envisions increased trim ranges on the upcoming Equinox EV will meet the wants of potential Blazer EV 1LT patrons, and “it provides us room to place and market the automobiles with out overlap.”
The awd 2LT comes with a 17.7-inch infotainment display screen and an 11-inch driver data display screen; heated steering wheel, entrance seats and facet mirrors; wi-fi telephone charging; AutoSense energy liftgate; adaptive cruise management and different driver-assist applied sciences.
The awd RS now heading to dealerships has RS-specific grille and badging, gloss black trim, 21-inch wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel and extra options.
Each awd variations arriving this yr had been EPA-rated as having 279 miles of driving vary, Chevy mentioned.
A rear-wheel-drive model of the Blazer EV RS will observe within the fall, with a Bose audio system and a GM-estimated 320-mile vary, priced at $61,790 with delivery, the model mentioned.
A fwd variant of the RS additionally will observe in 2024, Chevy mentioned. The model has not but launched pricing for the fwd RS however mentioned a yr in the past it was anticipated to start out round $51,995.
Normal Motors estimated the vary on the fwd 2LT trim at 293 miles.
Chevrolet mentioned an SS trim will enter manufacturing subsequent spring — the model beforehand had mentioned it was slated for 2023 — and a police automobile will arrive early subsequent yr.
A Chevy spokesperson mentioned the Blazer EV is launching with “closely geared up” trim ranges and that the fwd model of the 2LT arriving subsequent yr will provide totally different content material and a cheaper price level than the awd model. On the gasoline-powered Blazer, awd is a $2,700 to $2,900 upcharge over fwd fashions.
Moreover, Chevrolet is planning two lower-priced electrical automobiles: the compact Equinox EV slated to enter manufacturing this yr alongside the Blazer EV at GM’s Ramos Arizpe manufacturing facility in Mexico and a next-generation Bolt EV. The present Bolt EV and EUV are constructed on GM’s previous-generation battery structure and can stop manufacturing on the finish of this yr, however GM CEO Mary Barra mentioned on the automaker’s second-quarter earnings name final week that the Bolt will probably be redesigned to make use of GM’s Ultium battery platform.
The Blazer EV is eligible for the complete $7,500 buy tax credit score on new EVs beneath the federal Inflation Discount Act.
Editor’s be aware: An earlier model of this story misstated when shipments of the 2024 Blazer EV to sellers started.