The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV Throws Down the Gauntlet of Affordable EV Driving
Leave it to General Motors to crack the code and create an affordable electric SUV with an impressive driving range. The new 2024 Chevy Equinox EV, now in production, provides an impressive driving range, with the FWD model reaching 319 miles between charges. The AWD model has a 285-mile quoted driving range, making this small Chevy electric SUV a long-range EV, but there’s more.
How does the new Chevy Equinox EV crack the code?
One of the chief complaints about electric vehicles is the much higher price than traditional vehicles. On average, EVs cost nearly $20,000 more than similar gas-powered vehicles. The $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit can slightly offset the cost, but that doesn’t absorb the entirety of the cost increase.
GM Authority recently announced the entry-level 1LT FWD version of the Equinox EV starts at $34,995. Subtract the tax credit and this EV drops to $27,495, making it one of the most affordable electric vehicles in the market.
This means the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV has cracked the code with more than 300 miles of driving range and a starting price of less than $30,000 after the tax credit.
What does this base electric SUV include?
The new Equinox EV comes in five trims: 1LT, 2LT, 2RS, 3LT, and 3RS. The base 1LT model provides the lowest price and has a full package of features. This trim gives you:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 17.7-inch infotainment screen
- 11-inch digital gauge display
- 1,500 pounds of towing capacity
- One-pedal driving
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Google built-in
- Automatic LED headlights
- Proximity keyless entry
- Push-button starting
- Power outboard mirrors
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- 6-speaker audio system
- Advanced safety tech
- Rear park assist
- Automatic reverse braking
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Forward emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane-keeping assist
- Lane-departure warning
Does the Chevy Equinox EV use the Ultium platform?
GM continues developing the Ultium platform for smaller vehicles with the new Equinox EV. This little SUV rides on the BEV3 version of this platform with Ultium batteries and drive motors powering this ride.
The single-motor 2024 Chevy Equinox EV FWD produces 213 horsepower and can add 70 miles of driving range in 10 minutes when using a Level 3 DC fast charger. Opting for the AWD dual-motor model increases power to 288 ponies, giving the Equinox EV more control and traction on the roads and light trails.
With the price and driving range gauntlet thrown down by the new 2024 Chevy Equinox EV, will we see more electric vehicles offered at affordable prices?
Sources: GM Authority, Autotrader
