The Chevy Equinox EV is due for an update: Here’s what could change

General Motors is reportedly developing a next-generation Chevrolet Equinox EV, which is expected to debut in late 2028 or early 2029 as the first vehicle on the company’s new BEV-N platform. This move follows a significant sales decline for the current model in the first half of 2026 after the expiration of federal tax credits and increased competition from updated rivals like the Hyundai IONIQ 5. The transition to a new architecture is a critical strategic step for GM as it seeks to maintain its position in the affordable long-range electric SUV segment.

The current Chevrolet Equinox EV has been a cornerstone of GM’s electric strategy, launching in 2024 with a starting price of $34,995 and an EPA-estimated range of up to 319 miles. In 2025, it achieved the status of the best-selling electric vehicle in the United States outside of Tesla's lineup, trailing only the Model Y and Model 3. However, data from Cox Automotive indicates that sales fell 41% during the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. This downturn coincided with the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit and the arrival of refreshed competitors such as the Toyota bZ and Hyundai IONIQ 5, which have since overtaken the Equinox in popularity.

To regain its competitive edge, GM is developing the BEV-N platform, an evolution of the current BEV3 architecture that currently supports the Equinox, Blazer EV, and Cadillac Lyriq. While the existing Ultium-based system provides respectable range, critics and consumers have noted that its 150kW peak charging speed for high-volume vehicles lags behind the 350kW capabilities found in GM’s larger trucks like the Hummer and Silverado EV. The upcoming BEV-N platform is expected to address these limitations by offering improved efficiency, faster DC fast-charging curves, and a more advanced software stack to support next-generation safety and convenience features.

Beyond hardware improvements, the next-generation Equinox EV will likely integrate GM’s latest automated driving technology. The company has announced that the 2028 Cadillac Escalade IQ will be its first model to offer eyes-off self-driving on highways, and similar supervised or autonomous capabilities are expected to trickle down to the BEV-N platform. In the interim, GM plans to update all 2027 electric models, including the current Equinox, with North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports to improve charging accessibility. Following the Equinox's transition to the new platform in late 2028 or early 2029, the Chevrolet Blazer EV is slated to be the next model to adopt the BEV-N architecture.