Motor1.com
According to recent rumors, Chevrolet is planning to release an electric Corvette. The popular sports car will take an environmental angle to support GM’s sustainable initiatives.
The C8 might not hit dealerships until around 2024 or 2025 — but we already have some key details you’ll want to know. This information might make waiting a little more bearable.
Here’s a look at what we can expect from Corvette’s first electric model.
A Closer Look at Some of the Main Features
The C8, or Zora, will be a hybrid vehicle. This differentiation means it won’t be fully electric. Instead, you use both gasoline and electricity for power. That’s significant progress for a company like General Motors, especially when you consider that transportation creates 28% of America’s greenhouse gas output every year.
There’s also going to be an electric all-wheel-drive (eAWD) feature. The C8 might be a first, as only a few other sports cars have included eAWD — like Porsche’s Taycan and BMW’s i8. This feature will be useful for both emissions and speed.
Try picturing torque coming from electric motors. Corvette’s hybrid system will boost its power to achieve around 900 horsepower on its V-8 engine. Therefore, you can still enjoy Corvette’s capabilities without any compromise.
It’s likely we won’t see a fully electric Corvette with all-wheel-drive for several years after this model. That’s because of how Chevrolet currently builds its Corvettes. Could an eAWD operate separately from a V-8 engine to create a totally electric experience? The answer to that question might not be evident for a while.
Will Other Vehicles Have eAWD?
For now, Corvette’s electric C8 appears to be a hybrid option with eAWD. It’s also apparent that Corvette intends to release less powerful but more affordable electric versions. There’s a chance that convertible and Stingray models might become partially or fully electric, too.
This option will be Chevrolet’s second electric car endeavor. The Bolt is the company’s fully electric compact vehicle. It’s promising that Chevrolet wants to expand environmental efforts to ensure all buyers can pick a car they love. We should see more electric cars from most major manufacturers as time passes.
It’s not exactly speculative to say that more electric cars will debut under General Motors. The company has an extensive list of sustainability goals it wants to achieve over the next few decades. A huge part of those initiatives will be its products. If General Motors wants to achieve things like zero emissions, it certainly needs to follow the electric Corvette with more options.
Why Do Eco-Friendly Cars Matter?
The buzz around Corvette’s eco-friendly endeavors isn’t surprising. There aren’t many electric sports cars available — and climate change has become a hot topic. It only makes sense to meet such demand. After all, 63% of American consumers want to purchase electric vehicles. If Chevrolet can make EVs more accessible, it’ll make a difference.
Motor1.com
There’s an effort to rebrand, too. It’s no secret that automakers contribute to climate change. It takes tremendous energy and resources to produce and transport cars globally. As a result, Chevrolet and other companies need to show accountability. The electric C8 shows it’s taking things seriously.
Relevancy is an aspect that also benefits our planet. If Chevrolet sees that company rivals like Porsche and BMW have released electric sports cars that look fantastic and feel powerful, they have no choice but to join. In fact, it might not be long before “traditional” models go by the wayside. A little healthy competition will ensure more automakers do their part to fight climate change.
The Electric C8 Corvette Could Be a Gateway to More Electric Vehicles
A hybrid Corvette with all-wheel-drive is undeniably an exciting prospect for car lovers. At the same time, it’s a tremendous feat for Chevrolet. There’s so much that auto manufacturers can do to support our environment — and when Corvette releases its eAWD C8, it’ll surely inspire others to make their own versions.
