General Motors plans to end production of its revived Chevrolet Bolt after roughly a year and a half, curtailing the return of what had been the United States’ most affordable electric vehicle, Bloomberg reported.
The decision will allow GM to free up capacity at its Fairfax, Kansas, factory for a gasoline-powered Buick crossover, according to the report. GM officials later confirmed the move to InsideEVs, reiterating that the next-generation Bolt was always intended to be a limited-run model.
See also: Chevrolet Reveals EPA Range of 262 Miles for 2027 Bolt Electric Crossover
“When we revealed Bolt in October, we said it’d be a limited-run model, which we are bringing back due to strong customer demand,” a Chevrolet spokesperson said. “We also said it would account for the majority of EV volume for Chevrolet in 2026, alongside the Chevrolet Equinox EV. We reiterate that today.”
The updated 2027 Bolt, announced last year, drew attention for offering an estimated 260 miles of range starting at $28,995, reclaiming its position as the cheapest new EV in the U.S. market. The model features lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug, updated software and enhanced safety systems.
See also: New Chevy Bolt Enters Production as GM Prepares 2026 Market Return
However, shifting regulatory and market conditions appear to have weakened the business case for a longer production run. The Bolt no longer qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, and GM faces pressure to prioritize U.S.-based production amid tariff uncertainty under the current U.S. administration. At the same time, looser fuel economy regulations have reduced incentives to maintain lower-margin electric models, according to analysts cited by Bloomberg.
GM is also preparing to move production of the gas-powered Equinox back to Kansas from Mexico in 2027. The Buick Envision, currently built in China, has been particularly exposed to tariffs, increasing the appeal of reallocating U.S. factory capacity to internal combustion models. Buick sold about 42,000 Envisions last year.
See also: General Motors’ New Bolt Seen Charging at Tesla Station Before Launch
The decision marks a subdued return for a model that once drew strong demand. In 2023, its final full year before discontinuation, Chevrolet sold around 62,000 Bolts, and GM faced criticism for ending production. The Fairfax plant is currently operating on a single shift, with about 900 workers on indefinite layoff, the Detroit Free Press reported.
