America’s most affordable 315+ mile range electric vehicle is in line for an update. The next-gen Chevy Equinox EV will reportedly be the first to use GM’s all-new platform.
Is GM upgrading the Chevy Equinox EV?
The Chevy Equinox EV is GM’s top-selling electric vehicle in the US. However, with new and heavily updated models like the 2026 Toyota bZ and Hyundai IONIQ 5 arriving, it’s about time for an upgrade.
After the Equinox EV went on sale in 2024, it quickly caught on with buyers as a long-range (up to 319 miles), practical electric SUV.
Starting at $34,995, it also helped that it was among the most affordable electric vehicles in the US. In its first full sales year, the Chevy Equinox EV was the best-selling electric vehicle in the US outside of Tesla, ranking third overall in 2025 behind the Model Y and Model 3.
After the $7,500 federal tax credit expired last September, however, the Equinox lost its cost advantage.
Through the first half of 2026, Chevy Equinox EV sales are down 41% compared to the period last year, according to the most recent data from Cox Automotive.
While it’s still the fifth most popular EV, the Equinox slipped behind the Toyota bz and Hyundai IONIQ 5, both of which received major updates recently.
GM is reportedly already working on its answer. Its current BEV3 architecture underpins the Chevy Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, and Optiq, as well as the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX.
Outside of the US, the platform powers GM vehicles in overseas markets, including the Buick Electra E5 and E4 models in China.
The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq was the first to use the third-generation EV architecture. It was designed to incorporate GM’s Ultium batteries and drive motors across a wide range of vehicles, with support for AWD, FWD, and RWD drivetrain configurations.
According to a new report from GM Authority, citing sources familiar with the matter, GM is now working on the next evolution of its dedicated EV platform, codenamed BEV-N internally.
While details are still pretty limited, the sources said the first vehicle to arrive on the platform will be the Chevy Equinox EV in late 2028 or early 2029. Following the Equinox, the Chevy Blazer EV will be the next to use the BEV-N platform before it rolls out to other models.
A company spokesperson told Electrek following its second quarter earnings last week that GM does “indeed have future EVs in development across all markets,” but didn’t reveal specific models.
GM introduced a dozen EVs, many as 2024 models or newer, so they are still in the middle of their typical product cycles, the spokesperson added. While it has yet to be confirmed, the next-gen Chevy Equinox EV is expected to arrive in either late 2028 or early 2029.
In the meantime, all new 2027 electric vehicles, including the Chevy Equinox, are being updated with an NACS charge port.
Since the current Chevy Equinox EV already offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 319 miles for FWD models and 307 miles for AWD, the new platform will likely unlock even more.
In addition to improved efficiency and faster charging speeds, the new platform is expected to use an advanced software stack, enabling new safety and convenience features.
GM said the Cadillac Escalade IQ will be its first vehicle to offer eyes-off self-driving on highways, starting in 2028. In March, GM said it began testing the new automated self-driving tech under “supervised” conditions.
Soon, the company plans to have a fleet of over 200 self-driving and supervised test vehicles on the road.
Don’t want to wait until 2029? If you’re interested in checking out a current model, you can use this link to find Chevy Equinox EVs at a dealership near you (trusted affiliate link).
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