Bolt Pattern: GM Seeks Trademark for 'Bolt EUV'
General Motors has already announced it will build a new electric Chevrolet to serve as a sibling to the all-electric Chevrolet Bolt. This makes sense, as the technology and underpinnings of that car – not to mention all the R&D investment – should be shared with other GM machines. In today’s market, that likely means some sort of electric crossover or SUV.
All signs definitely point in that direction now, with the discovery of a new patent filing. Earlier this month, GM sought to trademark the term “Bolt EUV” — our best hint yet that the next electron-powered Chevy will be a market-pleasing crossover.
Alert readers will recall the company recently committed to investing $300 million in the Bolt’s Orion Township, Michigan assembly plant, but failed to mention exactly what the money was for. Many talking heads speculated the venture would result in a Bolt variant, which now seems like a bet that was right on the money. Since that announcement, GM has strongly suggested the new car will be built on that model’s BEV2 electric-car underpinnings, giving further credence to these projections.
The EUV acronym was not described in the patent filing uncovered by The Drive, but it’s not a stretch to assume it stands for Electric Utility Vehicle or something similar. (I was campaigning for Buick to get a version called the Electra, but that seems to be for nought. If it had 225 miles of range, it could even have been called the Electra 225. Alas.)
Might this also indicate that GM will use the Bolt name as a banner for an all-electric sub-brand? It’s a possibility, given how The General has historically loved to surround himself with nameplates. The current Bolt subcompact car has an advertised range of 238 miles but, speaking from personal experience that includes a 600-mile road trip, that number can be easily stretched though smart use of regeneration tools.
If the EUV is taller and perhaps a smidge longer, it stands to reason it may also be a little bit heavier. Sticking with the same 60kwh battery found in the Bolt hatchback would likely mean shaving a bit from that car’s 238-mile estimated range. Can GM get more out of a similar-sized battery? Do they want to invest the bucks to try? We’ll have to wait and see.
[Image: General Motors]
Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.
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I'm listening! I'm a green car entheusiast. There are two slots in my driveway: 1) High efficiency long distance commuter, which travels 110 miles round trip on most work days. 2) 3-row kid hauler for a family of 5. The high efficiency commuter slot is currently occupied by a 2016 Honda Civic, which I will replace with a Tesla Model 3 as soon as my wife approves the change (she's pretty happy with the Civic and, as much as *I* want the Model 3, I'd be stupid to talk her out of Civic-love). The Bolt was eliminated from contention, because Honda Sensing like driver aids are mandatory. The 3-row kid hauler is more complicated. I'm the primary driver. The two cars which are in the running are the Tesla Model X (which I can't really afford), and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (which I can afford and which I can find a deal on). There are other interesting options, but many of them aren't on the market yet (like the Rivian R1S). I'd love an electric 3-row CUV/Minivan. A compact 2-row SUV/minivan could be a contender, too, but it has to compete with th Civic and the Tesla Model 3. Anyway, a new Bolt has my attention and I'm listening! Especially if it has features similar to Honda Sensing. My wife *loves* Honda Sensing, but is a little nervous about the Tesla Autopilot.
I hope Chevrolet makes the next EV both bigger like that of their Equinox and more attractive conventional styling to appeal to the conventional car buyer and not so much the environmentalists “greeny” buyer who want to show off their convictions so it has to be frugly looking type styling!