Next year, General Motors will begin selling a battery-powered Chevrolet Blazer, making it a direct rival to Tesla's Model Y, the most popular electric SUV in the US. The carmaker announced on Monday that the electric Blazer model will go on sale in the summer of 2023, shortly after the debut of the Chevy Silverado EV. The $30,000 Equinox will follow later that year.
The Blazer and Equinox, which will be produced in Mexico, mark the beginning of General Motors' much anticipated quest to establish the same level of sales leadership in mass-market EVs as it does in internal combustion models. The company's most recent electric vehicles are now expensive Hummer and Cadillac versions.
The GM Silao facility is situated in the Mexican city of Silao, which is also known as the Silao Complex or Complejo Silao. Presently, it manufactures Propulsion Systems as well as full-size pickup vehicles for Chevrolet and GMC. GM and the newly established autonomous union at its Silao facility in Mexico struck a settlement earlier in July, and the manufacturer agreed to give workers’ wages and benefits that are higher than the current inflation rate.
The Ultium battery, which the company has been working on with its Korean business partner LG for several years, will power the Blazer. The manufacturer has claimed that their vehicles will be more profitable, simpler to construct, and able to travel farther before needing a recharge with the unique Ultium platform. With those vehicles, GM might surpass all competitors, including market leader Tesla.
Blazer Range
Range will be a key selling point for the Blazer, surpassing Tesla and matching that of competing EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Model Y from Tesla costs roughly $66,000 and has a range of 318 miles. The $52,000 320-mile RS Blazer is available.
One issue for GM is that its specialized battery, which was released after other models hit the market, isn't offering significantly more range than its conventional rivals. Both the Ford and the $45,000 Blazer have a 247-mile range and cost $1,000 extra. Both vehicles' premium versions have similar price points and expanded ranges.
Due to the ability to accommodate more batteries in the specific truck architecture, GM claims that the Silverado electric truck will have a 400-mile range, outperforming Ford's Lightning pickup. However, for smaller versions, the performance is comparable.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV, a more conventional version of the electric pickup truck, and the daring GMC Hummer EV share an electric engine. Some people might compare the feature to the early 2000s Avalanche pickup truck, which is currently no longer manufactured. Users of a midgate design option can fold down the partition dividing the bed from the cab to create more storage space.
2000s Avalanche Model
A big battery pack is believed to have a range of up to 400 miles on a single charge, and a battery with a range of 100 miles may be charged in just 10 minutes using DC fast-charging technology. The Silverado EV will be able to tow up to 10,000 pounds and handle loads weighing up to 1300 pounds thanks to dual electric motors that can produce up to 664 horsepower and provide standard all-wheel drive.
20 Models
The Ultium battery's true value will lie in GM's ability to launch 20 models internationally over the next two years and gain scale in a way that boosts profitability right away. GM operates two battery factories in the US and has plans for two more. When production begins, GM will have reduced battery prices while its rivals are still ramping up their cell manufacturing. A small SUV with respectable range and a roomy cabin may be made available to middle-class buyers starting at $30,000 thanks to the platform the following year.
