General Motors’ efforts to bring back the Chevrolet Bolt EV as an affordable electric vehicle are already hitting a roadblock. Although the redesigned 2027 Chevy Bolt EV just arrived at U.S. dealers with a price tag under $30,000, Bloomberg GM officials now reportedly say the new model will only be in production for about 18 months before the line is discontinued around mid-2027.
This shift comes as GM continues to restructure its manufacturing sites. The Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, will transition production from Bolt electric vehicles to other vehicles, including gasoline-powered models and a relocated Buick crossover. The decision represents a significant shift away from producing one of the most affordable electric cars on the U.S. market, at least for now.
Why this matters to EV buyers and GM’s strategy
Under current plans, the updated Bolt, which was marketed as a budget-friendly electric vehicle with a range of about 255 to 262 miles and a starting price of about $28,995, won’t last long. GM confirmed that the Fairfax plant will transition to building gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox SUVs starting in mid-2027 once the limited-edition Bolt EV completes its production cycle, freeing up capacity previously dedicated to electric vehicles.
In addition, officials plan to also assemble the next-generation Buick compact SUV on the same line starting in 2028, a model that is currently built in China and imported to the United States. These retraining efforts are consistent with tariff pressures and changing trade policies, but come at the expense of a vehicle that should help close the electric vehicle price gap created by Bolt’s earlier discontinuation.
For electric vehicle buyers, the Bolt’s short production run highlights how uncertain the market still is. Policy changes such as the elimination of the federal electric vehicle tax credit, higher tariffs on imported cars and changing consumer demand are forcing automakers to rethink their strategies in the U.S., even as GM continues to push models like the Equinox EV. While the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV is still one of the most affordable electric cars in America, its limited production suggests that truly budget-friendly EV options could remain rare unless new models fill the gap.
