The latest electric offering from Chevrolet will feature General Motors’ Ultium battery platform, four trim levels, Plug and Charge technology and charging speeds up to 190 kW — plus a specially designed “Police Pursuit Vehicle”

General Motors unveiled the price, specs and features of its Chevrolet Blazer electric vehicle this week and the SUV is now ready for pre-order across Canada.

Starting at $51,998 for the base 1LT model, the five-seater SUV-sized Blazer offers three
additional trim levels: 2LT, RS and SS, and an additional version designed for police units called the Police Pursuit Vehicle (PPV).

“The 2024 Blazer EV sets a new tone for electric SUVs, with options and intuitive technologies. that help position Chevrolet for leadership in one of the fastest-growing EV segments,” Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet, stated in a press release.

“[We] are making great strides in offering more choices for zero tailpipe-emissions vehicles — choices that make switching to an EV easier than ever.”

The first Blazers (2LT and RS) will be available in the summer of 2023 for $56,598 and $61,298, respectively. The SS will arrive in the second half of 2023 for $80,998, and the base 1LT model will come out in the first quarter of 2024 for $51,998.

In Quebec, Chevrolet will sell the cars for different prices — $54,548 (1LT), $59,148 (2LT),
$63,848 (RS), and $83,548 (SS). “When we share Quebec pricing, it has to include freight at $2,200, $100 air conditioning tax and $250 dealer fees,” explains a communication manager at Chevrolet Canada in response to inquiries from Electric Autonomy.

All models are eligible for federal rebates (subject to government approval), and will be made in GM’s Ramos Arizpe facility in Mexico.

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Models and specs

Stocked with driver assistance technology including Reverse Automatic Braking and Advanced Park Assist, along with the standard suite of Chevrolet’s Safety Assist programs, all of the Blazers run off Ultifi, GM’s “new end-to-end vehicle software platform.”

As a base model, the Blazer 1LT is an interesting mid-range EV. It has the keyless start feature of the higher-end models and a hands-free tailgate lift system. The 1LT has front-wheel drive (FWD), wireless charging capabilities, and an 11.5 kW onboard
charger.

But GM is offering little in the way of details on performance. The LT1 will have up to 400 km of range, but there is no information yet on the 1LT’s charging speed. Like the 1LT, there are few details on the 2LT, but it comes in FWD (up to 470 km of range), has electric all-wheel drive (eAWD), Super Cruise technology, and advanced safety features including pedestrian and bicycle alerts.

The RS is the model GM is most keen to promote. Coming in three drive types — FWD, AWD and eAWD — the RS RWD appears to have the longest range of all the models (based on GM’s estimates) at 515 kilometres. It also has charging speeds of up to 190 kW allowing for 125 km of range to be added in 10 minutes, according to GM.

Blazer Super Sport is GM’s first electric performance model and has a range up to 465 km. “It features an exclusive performance AWD propulsion configuration, unique WOW (Wide open Watts) mode enabling up to 564 horsepower and up to 648 lb.-ft. of torque, and 0-96 km/h sprints in approximately less than 4 seconds (based on GM estimates),” the automaker noted in its press release.

All of the Blazer models will come with Plug and Charge technology for access to over 100,000 public charging points in Canada and the United States.

Civilian vehicles versus “on the job”

In an unusual and forward-thinking move, GM is offering the Blazer not only as a consumer vehicle, but also in a first responder edition for police.

“Based on the Blazer SS model, the Blazer EV PPV will have the largest Ultium battery in the lineup and will be available with a dual motor all-wheel drive system. The PPV will use the Blazer SS high performance front Brembo brakes to help ensure short stopping distances,” the press release states.

In addition to the more specific performance requirements needed in police vehicles, the Blazer PPV will come with an interior designed for law enforcement officers and extra room to accommodate emergency equipment.

GM has not yet released pricing or performance specs on the Blazer PPV, but as it is closely aligned with the SS, it’s likely to mirror similar range, acceleration and charging speeds.

The PPV model is expected in 2024.