The Chevrolet Blazer EV marks the start of an all-new electric chapter for one of Chevy‘s most iconic nameplates. When it debuted back in 1969, the original two-door K5 Blazer pioneered the concept of an SUV years before the segment even had a name. Rugged, adventurous, and uniquely American, the vintage Blazer turned heads whether cruising highways or conquering rocky trails.
Now in 2023, the Blazer EV reinvents this heritage for the plug-in era. As automakers ramp up electrification efforts, Chevy aims to tempt eco-conscious families by infusing an all-electric SUV with the spirit that made the Blazer a legend. The initial reception suggests they‘ve got a runaway hit on their hands.
An Iconic Nameplate Adapted for the Future
As one of over 20 new electric models GM plans to introduce by 2025, the Blazer EV plays a key role in the company‘s aggressive shift towards zero-emissions vehicles. Early demand has vastly exceeded expectations, with over 45,000 hopeful buyers signing up within months of its unveiling.
For General Motors, the Blazer EV sets the stage for additional affordable, mass-market EVs on the horizon. While the six-figure GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Celestiq showcase GM’s luxury EV chops, high prices relegate them largely out of reach for the average consumer.
The Blazer EV instead targets that sweet spot blending everyday functionality with a dash of performance flair. Combined with its famous nameplate tied deeply to American culture, it’s positioned to draw attention from a wide swath of drivers.
Industry analysts predict 500,000 annual EV sales industrywide by 2025, doubling to over one million by 2030. With a steady stream of compelling electric options like the Blazer EV headed to market, automakers seem poised to meet this demand and then some.
Blazer EV Trims – Specs and Features
The Blazer EV launches in four primary configurations designed to balance range, performance, and pricing for distinct customer needs. Here’s an at-a-glance overview:
| Trim | Price | Range (mi) | 0-60 mph (s) | Drive | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1LT | $44,995 | 247 | TBA | FWD | TBA |
| 2LT | $47,595 | 293 | TBA | FWD / AWD | TBA |
| RS | $51,995 | 320 | TBA | FWD / RWD / AWD | TBA |
| SS | $65,995 | 290 | < 4.0 sec | AWD | 557 hp / 648 lb-ft |
1LT: As the most affordable model at just under $45k, the 1LT trim caters towards budget-focused buyers or those with modest daily range needs. 247 miles should cover most commutes and errands around town with power to spare. DC fast charging support enables convenient top-ups for longer trips.
2LT: Stepping up to the well-appointed 2LT brings extra driving range and available all-wheel drive traction for an additional $3k. Heated front seats, a hands-free liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof round out the luxurious standard features.
RS: For max range and performance, the RS trim pushes battery capacity to GM’s largest available pack for up to 320 miles per charge. Unique tuning options like RWD and AWD pair with 20” wheels to inject some sporty flavor. The RS strikes an enticing balanceuseful for road trips yet lively during weekend escapes.
SS: No electrified Blazer lineup would be complete without a high-octane SS top-trim model. A potent 557 hp motor rockets this all-wheel drive performance SUV to 60 mph in under 4 seconds thanks to amped up torque. A max speed of 155 mph makes this the blazing fast electric hot rod for diehard Chevy enthusiasts.
Built Ground-Up for 21st Century Performance
Rather than simply swapping gas engines for electric motors, Chevy opted to develop the Blazer EV on an entirely new dedicated platform. Their next-generation Ultium architecture consolidates batteries and power electronics while enabling flexible modular configurations.
The skateboard-style flat floor liberates interior room thanks to absent traditional drivetrain components. Front trunk storage space also benefits – no surprise given one of the key Ultium architects came from Tesla. An independent rear suspension ensures smooth road manners and sporty agility.
On the propulsion front, an advanced rear-wheel drive layout functions seamlessly with available all-wheel drive on higher trims for confident traction during foul weather. Sophisticated torque vectoring further optimizes grip by subtly adjusting power distribution side-to-side. feverishly tweaking
Clever one-pedal driving programming makes commuting less stressful while recovering kinetic energy. Simply easing off the accelerator triggers gradual regenerative braking forces akin to downshifting in a gas vehicle. Such intuitive drive characteristics lower the barrier for converting to EV.
Charging Architecture Built for Speed
Smoothly integrating into our electrified future requires more than just vehicles with plugs. The charging ecosystem needs to enable drivers to fuel up effortlessly on their schedules.
All Blazer EV variants ship with dual charging ports supporting both AC and DC power sources. A standard 120V home outlet connector enables overnight top-ups on home wiring. Faster 240V Level 2 charging can build roughly 36 miles of range per hour with the included charge cord.
But where the Blazer EV truly shines is support for speedy DC fast charging. Thanks to its 400V electrical architecture, the Blazer EV accepts up to 190kW charging rates. Plugging in for just 10 minutes adds 78 miles of driving range. That allows charging pit stops during road trips to work more akin to a short bathroom and snacks break.
With over 100,000 public DC fast charging plugs in operation, Chevrolet seems intent on assuring Blazer EV drivers can traverse the country nearly as quickly and conveniently as their gas-powered counterparts. Over 85% of US residents already live within 10 miles of a public DC fast charging station. That number continues expanding rapidly as new funding accelerates infrastructure rollout.
Unprecedented Demand Cements Blazer EV’s Future
Consumer enthusiasm for the Blazer EV has stunned even GM leadership based on initial reactions. Public online pre-orders sold out rapidly triggering waitlists just months after its mid-2022 unveiling. Production models don’t even begin deliveries until mid-2023.
Such voracious early demand confirms the Blazer EV’s unique blend of practicality, performance, and nostalgia resonates with modern buyers. Families can envision road tripping to national parks or shuttling kids to soccer practice while companies use it to tout their eco-credentials. Tuning shops undoubtedly already have performance upgrade blueprints in motion for future SS models.
And by pricing models across a wide bracket spanning upper-$40k to mid-$60k range, Chevy encourages broad consideration beyond just luxury early adopters. The entire range qualifies for the $7,500 EV tax credit helping absorb costs for budget-focused shoppers. Brand familiarity also plays no small part – GM continues leading US auto sales, moving over 2.2 million vehicles in 2021 compared to Tesla’s under 1 million.
Skeptics warning of the risks undershooting demand likely underestimated public hunger for SUVs and trucks migrating en masse to electric power. With the F-150 Lightning seeing similar ravenous early reception, the Blazer EV spotlights American auto stalwarts can absolutely drive EV excitement while preserving heritage.
Key Takeaways – Legend Reborn with an Electric Spark
The Blazer EV marks Chevy‘s first attempt to reinvent one of its most iconic nameplates as a fully electric model. Early demand forecasts show they successfully captured consumers’ imaginations despite some initial skepticism.
Sporty crossover styling encases long range, AWD, DC fast charging and up to 557 hp performance demonstrating EVs need not be boring or inefficient
Building upon GM’s new flexible Ultium platform unlocks interior space and rapid charging previously challenging for conversions
With all trims priced from $45,000 to $65,000 after tax credits, Chevy targets the mainstream rather than solely luxury early adopters
Given the sales trajectory based on orders and waitlists so far, the Blazer EV seems inevitably destined follow in the original icon’s tracks as Chevy’s next hit SUV.
So for drivers seeking a nostalgic icon reborn into the electric future without sacrificing capability or excitement, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV confidently checks all the boxes. Early reactions suggest Chevy could struggle filling orders rather than garnering interest. As GM continues rolling out 20+ new EVs transforming its model lineup over the next several years, the Blazer EV’s runaway early success paves an electrifying path forward.
