After a brief hiatus, General Motors has once again made the Chevrolet Blazer EV available to the masses – and at a more affordable price point. This follows the sudden halt in sales of the electric vehicle in December, as a result of software issues that were reported by early customers.
In a statement issued by the company, General Motors acknowledged the problems and announced that significant software updates have been made to improve the Blazer EV’s features and functionality, ensuring that it meets the high expectations of its customers. Additionally, they have incorporated these learnings into other vehicles in their lineup.
As part of the software updates, the Blazer EV now offers customizable multi-color ambient lighting and revised graphics with a battery percentage display. However, for existing owners of the electric SUV, a visit to a GM dealership is necessary to receive the software update and address any potential issues.
Although General Motors did not go into detail about the root cause of the problems, they have assured customers that they have implemented stricter quality testing and improved software processes to prevent similar issues in the future.
The return of the Blazer EV is a significant moment for GM, as it is the first mass-market electric vehicle built on their new Ultium platform. This platform is set to support a wide range of electric vehicles in the years to come, making it crucial for the company to iron out any flaws as soon as possible.
The temporary absence of the Blazer EV also left GM with one less electric vehicle to offer at a time when they faced criticism for discontinuing the Bolt, a decision they ultimately reversed after public backlash.
Despite nearly doubling their EV sales in the US from 2022 to 2023 (totaling over 75,000), the majority of those sales came from the Bolt and its SUV counterpart, the Bolt EUV.
As part of its re-entry into the market, GM has slashed the prices of the Blazer EV, with the LT AWD trim now starting at $50,195 (previously $56,715), the RS AWD at $54,595 (previously $60,215), and the RS RWD at $56,170 (previously $61,790). These price cuts, coupled with the news that the Blazer EV qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit, may help boost sales of the electric SUV.
