General Motors (GM) is reportedly set to discontinue production of the Chevrolet Bolt EV once again by 2028, a decision that follows a complex history for the affordable electric vehicle. The Bolt's production was initially halted in 2023, only to be revived with plans for a 2027 model year featuring enhanced range and faster charging capabilities. However, a recent Bloomberg report indicates this revival will be short-lived, with manufacturing ceasing by 2028.

The primary driver behind this latest cancellation is GM's strategic repurposing of its Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, where the Bolt is currently assembled. According to reports, the plant will transition to producing other GM models. Specifically, production of the Buick Envision, currently manufactured at the SAIC-GM plant in Shanghai, China, will move to the U.S. This shift is largely a response to evolving tariff policies, particularly those implemented by President Trump against China, aiming to mitigate rising costs and maintain competitive pricing for the Envision in the American market.

Further exacerbating the Bolt's fate, GM also plans to move production of the Chevrolet Equinox from Mexico to the Fairfax plant in mid-2027. This move is also a direct consequence of tariff policies, aligning with GM's broader strategy announced last June to shift production from south of the border to facilities in Michigan, Tennessee, and Kansas. These reallocations of manufacturing resources appear to be the compelling factors necessitating the Bolt's second discontinuation.

The 2027 Bolt was noteworthy for its projected affordability, slated to start below $30,000, a rare price point in a market where the average transaction price for a new vehicle has surpassed $50,000. This affordability was intended even with the potential elimination of the $7,500 EV tax credit by the Trump administration. While the Bloomberg report vaguely suggests a possibility for the Bolt to continue if it achieves exceptional sales success, the likelihood is considered slim.

A GM spokesperson confirmed that the Bolt was always envisioned as a "limited run model" and its return for 2027 was prompted by "strong customer demand." The spokesperson also indicated that further announcements regarding the ramp down of the Bolt's production would be made as GM prepares the Fairfax plant for the manufacturing of the internal combustion engine-powered Equinox in mid-2027.