DETROIT — The Blazer EV, Chevrolet’s first electrical midsize crossover, builds on the design of its internal-combustion counterpart. Past that, the electrical Blazer is forging its personal path as Chevrolet targets electrical autos within the greatest segments.
The EV “shares the Blazer identify and spirit, however aside from that, it shares completely nothing,” Scott Bell, vice chairman of Chevy, informed reporters this month.
Chevy plans to launch the 2024 Blazer EV in a trim-by-trim cadence starting subsequent summer time, beginning with the 2LT mannequin priced at $47,595, together with transport. Ultimately the nameplate could have beginning costs starting from $44,995 for probably the most fundamental model to $65,995 for an SS efficiency mannequin.
Chevy additionally will construct a police pursuit model. Relying on the trim degree, the Blazer EV has a Basic Motors-estimated vary of 247 to 320 miles on a full cost.
Reservations for the Blazer EV opened Monday.
The crossover will probably be constructed alongside the gasoline-powered model, which was launched in 2018, at GM’s Ramos Arizpe meeting plant in Mexico.
The Blazer EV is the bigger and higher-priced of two electrical crossovers Chevy plans to roll out in 2023. The Equinox EV is anticipated to go on sale late subsequent yr, beginning at round $30,000.
Each crossovers — just like the GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac Lyriq and upcoming Chevy Silverado EV — will probably be powered by the Ultium battery platform GM developed with LG Power Resolution. Chevy executives declined to say the place the Blazer’s batteries will probably be assembled. Ultium plans to construct battery cell crops in Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee and a fourth U.S. location it hasn’t revealed.
Chevy’s solely EVs are the Bolt hatchback and crossover, each of that are powered by previous-generation batteries. Along with the Blazer EV and Equinox EV, Chevy plans to begin promoting the Silverado EV subsequent yr.
“These are the three largest segments of the business. They’re the fastest-growing segments within the business,” Bell mentioned. “At Chevy that is our power. That is the core of our enterprise.”
Chevy freshened the gasoline-powered Blazer this yr for the 2023 mannequin yr with up to date exterior styling and infotainment. The model will proceed to spend money on the gasoline model primarily based on market demand, mentioned Steve Majoros, vice chairman of promoting at Chevrolet.
“Our philosophy is all the time to be able to go on the tempo at which the market goes,” he mentioned. “We have now to spend money on each. And we’re investing very aggressively in each.”
The Blazer EV adopts the athletic styling of its gasoline-powered counterpart, however the Ultium platform offers the EV decrease proportions due to the location of the battery pack.
Every trim has a unique character. The bottom LT has monochromatic styling and normal 19-inch wheels, and the RS high trim conveys a sportier look with a black grille, different black accents and normal 21-inch wheels.
The SS efficiency trim comes with a novel grille, two-tone coloration and normal 22-inch wheels.
The Blazer EV comes with three drive-system choices: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive. The SS trim contains an awd system with 557 hp, as much as 648 pound-feet of torque and a “Large Open Watts” mode that permits the crossover to speed up from 0 to 60 mph in lower than 4 seconds.
“The Blazer EV SS has the soul of a real sports activities automobile,” Bell mentioned in an announcement. “And whereas it represents the top of efficiency for Chevy’s EV lineup, all fashions provide stirring capabilities that can shock and delight true efficiency devotees.”
The police pursuit automobile will probably be primarily based on the SS, outfitted with the most important Ultium battery in Chevy’s lineup. Will probably be accessible in rwd or awd. The inside will probably be designed to accommodate police tools and equipment.
“The chances for the Blazer EV’s business and legislation enforcement functions are virtually limitless,” Ed Peper, vice chairman of GM Fleet, mentioned in Chevy’s assertion. “Together with zero tailpipe emissions efficiency, it reduces the quantity and frequency of sure upkeep necessities sometimes related to fleet autos.”
Chevy is growing a brand new dealership allocation components because it begins to launch a wider lineup of EVs, Bell mentioned. The model plans to deal with Bolts at regional heaps as a part of a pilot program this yr. Sellers will pull Bolts from that stock to promote.
The markets that promote probably the most gasoline-powered Blazer, Silverado and Equinox autos may not be the identical markets with excessive EV gross sales, Bell mentioned.
“We will must have an EV adoption charge components into our allocation,” he mentioned. “We’ll be working with the sellers on that.”