Confirmed: Chevrolet Corvette to go electric
The iconic Chevrolet Corvette is going electric … just as we have been predicting for yonks.
General Motors president Mark Reuss – a former boss of defunct local division Holden – confirmed the news this week to CNBC and then followed up with a LinkedIn post.
The first electrified Corvette is expected to be a hybrid or plug-in hybrid and it will come in 2023.
Reuss said the Corvette will also become a fully electric model as per a wider GM commitment to go all-EV.
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“Some time ago we moved the Corvette team into the EV space in Warren, Michigan, and when we revealed the new mid-engine Corvette, I said there would be ‘more to come,’” Reuss wrote.
“This morning I sat down with Phil LeBeau of CNBC and finally answered the question I’ve been asked countless times.
“Yes, in addition to the amazing new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and other gas-powered variants coming, we will offer an electrified and a fully electric, Ultium-based Corvette in the future.
“In fact, we will offer an electrified Corvette as early as next year. Details and names to come at a later date.”
In a video accompanying the Reuss post, engine noise can clearly be heard as a Corvette C8 slaloms around a snowy course, suggesting it is a hybrid of some sort.
The confirmation of the electric Corvette comes just months after it officially went on-sale in Australia for the first time. Hey, it only took 70 years and eight generations!
The C8 Corvette Coupe and Convertible are currently only offered here as naturally-aspirated petrol-fuelled V8s and the sold-out first batch of 228 examples is now being delivered to customers.
There is no confirmation as yet whether we will get the electric Corvette down under.