GM unveils Bolt electric SUV, redesigned Bolt EV

General Motors (GM) rolled out a redesigned Chevrolet Bolt EV and the Bolt Electric Utility Vehicle (EUV) to jumpstart its "aspiration" to completely switch from traditional gas-powered cars to electric vehicles by 2035.

The difference between the Bolt EV hatchback five-door hatchback that it has been selling for four years and the Bolt EUV, an electric SUV, is a six-inch longer overall length, a three-inch longer wheelbase, and only 2/10th of an inch higher.

While the Bolt EUV doesn't have all-wheel drive, It has SUV proportions and SUV styling, emphasizes Jesse Ortega, the chief engineer of the two Bolts.

Both Bolts will go into production in the late spring and are due in showrooms by early summer.

GM also plans to unveil an electric Hummer truck and the Cadillac Lyriq in US showrooms this year. The Lyriq goes into production in the first quarter, while the Hummer will be available in the late fall.

The Bolt has among the highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry, says Steve Majoros, Chevrolet's vice president of marketing.

Among the Bolts' features are the GM "Super Cruise" hands-free driving feature, which has never been offered on a Chevy.

The rollout of the new Bolts could be hurt by computer chip shortages that forced GM to temporarily halt production at some plants for at least a month.

Unlike almost all of its rivals, GM's US buyers won't get a $7,500 tax credit for buying its electric cars, forcing it to make the Bolt EV and EUV way cheaper than its rivals' prices.

The Bolt EUV's starting price will be about $34,000, much less than the $43,000 tag of the Ford Mach E. The new Bolt EV will be $32,000, which is about $5,000 less than the current Bolt EV's price.

GM will also shoulder the standard installation of the electrical equipment for faster-charging capability in most customers' homes.