Chevy's New Bolt Is a Truly Affordable Electric Car, at Under $30,000

• Chevy's New Bolt Is a Truly Affordable Electric Car, at Under $30,000
• What do you get from the 2027 Chevy Bolt?

The new Chevrolet Bolt feels like the kind of electric car the EV market has been waiting for -- something genuinely affordable that doesn't make major compromises. Starting at $28,995, it brings electric driving back into reach for regular buyers.

But it's not just about the price: the second-generation Bolt looks to fix the weaknesses of its predecessor while doubling down on practicality and smart technology, aiming to appeal to drivers who want something efficient and approachable without paying top prices. It's worth noting that Tesla's new affordable models start at almost $10,000 more.

The Chevy Bolt also launches at a time when electric vehicle shoppers will be looking for cheaper options. According to June figures from Kelley Blue Book, the average new vehicle transaction price in the US sits at $48,644. That's 2% lower than the market peak in December 2023, but it's still around 13% more than prices in June 2021.

What do you get from the 2027 Chevy Bolt?

An up close and personal look at the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt in this striking blue color.

Chevrolet

This car is impressive for a sub-$30,000 EV. Its power comes from a 65 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery pack, which Chevrolet says is good for 255 miles on a full charge. That's a modest boost over the last Bolt EV and enough for most daily use, especially when paired with charging that's now genuinely fast -- up to 150 kilowatts, with a top-up from 10 to 80% in just 26 minutes.

Chevrolet includes a CCS adapter for older chargers, and there's a native NACS port, meaning Tesla Supercharger access is built in from day 1. The Bolt's new bidirectional charging setup allows it to output up to 9.6 kilowatts of power, letting owners feed electricity back into their homes during outages or peak hours.

Performance should feel lively, too. The front-wheel-drive setup puts out 210 horsepower, while regenerative braking can be adjusted between low, high, or blended modes for a more tailored feel behind the wheel. The Bolt still leans on practicality, offering 16 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and up to 57 cubic feet when folded. That makes it a good fit for small families or city drivers who occasionally need more room (though an SUV it most certainly is not).

Inside, Chevrolet has modernized the experience with an 11.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster. The big omission is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which GM has decided to drop in favor of a native infotainment system with built-in connectivity. A 2023 McKinsey study revealed that roughly 50% of car buyers in the US would not consider a car without Apple CarPlay -- so this feels like a big miss from General Motors.

Optional Super Cruise hands-free driving brings semi-autonomous highway capability, including lane changes, route following and automatic merging between interchanges. These features were once reserved for much more expensive EVs, but are now appearing in more affordable vehicles -- a win for car shoppers.

Chevrolet is offering the car in three trims: The base LT at $28,995, an LT Comfort at $29,990 and the sportier RS trim for about $32,000. Deliveries will begin in the US in early 2026, with all models built at GM's Fairfax, Kansas plant. At a time when many electric cars still cost well north of $40,000, this one might just prove that the affordable EV isn't dead after all.

Connor is a technology writer and editor, with a byline on multiple platforms. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA -- with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech -- he is always on the lookout for innovative products.

Article updated on October 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM PDT

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Connor is a technology writer and editor, with a byline on multiple platforms. He has been writing for around nine years now across the web and in print too. Connor has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA -- with contributions as a judge on panels at them. He's also been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he's a fan of gadgets of all sorts. Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech -- he is always on the lookout for innovative products.