- Chevrolet Corvette Electric Design & Platform
- Chevrolet Corvette Electric Battery & Range
- Chevrolet Corvette Electric FAQs
- What is the Chevrolet Corvette Electric release date?
- What will be the price of the Chevrolet Corvette Electric?
- Which are the competitors to the Corvette electric?
On April 25, 2022, General Motors, via its Twitter account, made it official that it will launch a Chevrolet Corvette electric, in addition to the hybrid Corvette (Corvette E-Ray). The latter has made itself pretty conspicuous, having been caught testing with almost no camouflage and reports indicating a different-sounding exhaust.
GM President, Mark Reuss, posted on LinkedIn on April 25, 2022, that the electrified and fully electric Corvette will join other gas-powered variants and that the electrified ‘Vette will arrive next year. “Details and names to come at a later date,” he added. The electrified Corvette is expected to be a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid and will most likely wear the ‘E-Ray’ suffix, which was trademarked over six years ago.
The hybrid Corvette is rumored to feature around 600 hp, focusing on performance rather than efficiency. Expect the electric version to have a higher output, and retain the convertible option. Image of the Corvette Z06 – GM
Chevrolet Corvette Electric Design & Platform
The Chevrolet Corvette electric sports car should carry design traits of the Z06 in terms of the overall silhouette and dimensions, but beyond that, GM has been very secretive about the intricacies of the product.
The Ultium is capable of handling at least 1,000 hp (split between three electric motors of 255 kW each, offering a predominantly rear-wheel bias), as seen on the GMC Hummer EV, GM has detailed that Ultium can support rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and Performance all-wheel drive variants of products. However, the electric Corvette could be a new breed.
Speaking at the SAE Foundation annual event in May 2022 to John McElroy of The Autoline Network, Reuss had this to say about the C8 Corvette’s mid-engine platform:
The new platform offers all kinds of possibilities and variations around pure electric, pure ICE, pure whatever…and I think that’s the creativity piece that..sort of really as an engineer, as an enthusiast, really gets me excited.
Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, speaking at the SAE Foundation annual awards in May 2022 (via Autoline/Youtube)
This could mean that the development of the electric Corvette has already progressed beyond the chassis design stage, and we could hear or see it as early as 2025. Unlike upcoming electric sports cars like the Tesla Roadster or the Mercedes AMG-GT electric, the electric Chevy Corvette could used a ‘mixed’ architecture that is mid-way between the combustion model and an electric skateboard.
When McElroy asked if they could catch the noise, vibration and feel of driving a gas-powered Corvette in the upcoming electric version, Reuss said that the General Motors had the sound engineering capability to pipe in or cancel noise. He added:
The question is, and I don’t have the answer for it, whether people want an artificial sound in an electric car. I don’t know yet!
Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, speaking at the SAE Foundation annual awards in May 2022 (via Autoline/Youtube)
Chevrolet Corvette Electric Battery & Range
General Motors should utilize many Ultium modules and systems designed for electric trucks and SUVs. Whether the Corvette electric would come with a heavy, 200 kWh battery is a huge question mark, as the focus will be on keeping the sportscar light and yet offering acceptable range for a drive to a racetrack, at least about an hour of high-performance consumption, followed by a drive back home.
Either that or owners will have to rely on the Level 2 and DC fast charging with an 800V architecture at the minimum to replenish the Corvette electric quickly.
Chevrolet Corvette Electric FAQs
What is the Chevrolet Corvette Electric release date?
We expect the Corvette electric to be launched in the U.S. in the second half of 2025.
What will be the price of the Chevrolet Corvette Electric?
Expect the Corvette Electric to be priced from around USD 85,000-100,000.
Which are the competitors to the Corvette electric?
In terms of performance, the Electric Corvette will compete with the electric NSX. The Fisker Ronin is another candidate.
Featured Image – GM
Keyword: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette electric: What we know