General Motors new all-electric Chevrolet Blazer is set to give Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y crossover EVs a run for their money. It will draw in the mainstream consumers to EVs. GM said the 2024 Blazer EV would arrive in dealer showrooms beginning next summer.
With a starting price of about $45,000 for an entry-level Blazer to $66,000 for a “SS” performance variant that will produce up to 557 horsepower and 648 pounds-foot of torque. The crossover will be capable of 0 – 60 mph in less than four seconds. This is comparable to the Tesla Model Y’s performance and Mach-E at about 3.5 seconds.
Blazer is the second all-new EV to enter Chevrolet’s line-up after the Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. It’s being touted as a sports performance EV. Scott Bell, the vice president of Global Chevrolet, said the carmaker is optimistic in all and is ramping up to be a competitor in all segments and in volume. He highlighted that the Blaze EV SS has the soul of a true sports car. It represents the pinnacle of performance for Chevy’s EV lineup. Bell outlined that all models offer stirring capabilities that will surprise and delight true performance devotees.
GM’s latest product, the Blazer EV, uses a proprietary Ultium propulsion system with three battery pack sizes. Dough Houlihan, the executive chief engineer, said they set the wheelbase to have the longest wheelbase in the segment. It has great track width, a low center of gravity, and a flat, low floor for a smooth ride. Houlihan revealed that the vehicles will start production in the summer of 2023. The all-new Blazer EV will be made alongside the gasoline version at GM’s Ramos Arizpe Assembly plant in Mexico.
Bell pointed out that the carmaker intends to go from an internal combustion engine perspective by 2035. GM plans to leverage its capacity as best as it can and leverage it for the EV space. The executive believes the company has to be in a position to play in both camps and keep the plants doing what they have been doing and have the ability to transition. He said the Blazer EV is priced at the core of the average transaction prices in the segment.
GM will offer payment toward home charger installation on the Blazer EV to incentivize the purchase. The automobile company started offering home installation on the 2022 Bolts. It covers up to $1,000 for the installation and $250 for permits. The EV market is growing slowly and steadily.
