DETROIT – General Motors has started shipping the new Chevrolet Blazer EV and is releasing the official pricing for the trims due out this year.

The first Blazer EV − the RS all-wheel drive trim − started shipping Monday from GM's plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, to dealers. It starts at $60,215, higher than initially expected, with an estimated range of 279 miles on a full charge. 

"Customer reception for the Blazer EV has been very strong," Chad Lyons, a Chevrolet spokesman, wrote in an email to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. "For competitive reasons, we are not providing specific numbers of reservation holders."

The Blazer EV is next in the line of GM's new EVs built on the Ultium propulsion system and due to roll out this year.

The first was the 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup in late 2021, followed by the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq SUV last year. Earlier this year, the Chevrolet Silverado EV launched for commercial consumers. It will be available to retail buyers next year. GM will launch the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Cadillac Celestiq high-end luxury EV later this year.

Launches for Chevrolet Blazer trims

The Blazer EV will be available in three trims: LT (luxury trim), RS (rally sport) and SS (super sport). The RS rear-wheel drive version and the 2LT AWD trims launch this fall.

• The 2LT front-wheel drive will be the entry-level option due next year.
• A Police Pursuit Vehicle will be available early next year.
• GM is pushing back the launch for the SS trim from late this year to beginning production in the spring of 2024. 

GM said it will provide further details on availability for the remaining drivetrain configurations, including front-wheel drive variants of the RS and 2LT, closer to the launches next year.

The SS is Chevy’s first electric performance model capable of producing up to 557 horsepower and up to 648 lb-ft of torque. It has a WOW (Wide Open Watts) mode enabling it to go from 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds.

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Blazer EV prices: GM releases official pricing higher than expected

In July 2022, when Chevy revealed the Blazer EV, it estimated the base trim would start at $44,995, pushing it up-market from its gasoline-powered counterpart at $35,100. The finalized pricing for the trims rolling out this year are above that estimate.

"Our initial launch editions are highly contented with features we know our customer’s want and showcase the technology and customer choice the Blazer EV offers," Lyons said of the pricing.

• RS AWD starts at $60,215.
• RS RWD starts at $61,790.
• 2LT AWD starts at $56,715. 

Range for the 2LT and RS AWD are 279 miles on a full charge. GM expects to achieve an estimated 320-mile range on a full charge for the RS RWD trim.

Customers who buy the 2024 Blazer EV may be eligible for a federal tax credit up to $7,500. GM will take orders for each trim closer to launch dates.

Contact Jamie L. LaReau at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.