Chevrolet comes to tuning fair SEMA360 with a Blazer from 1977. However, this is not just any old Blazer, but a fully electric restomod equipped with the Bolt’s powertrain. With this so-called ‘eCrate’ package, Chevrolet wants to offer classic car owners the opportunity to convert their cars into an EV.
Chevrolet calls ‘Connect & Cruise’ offering modern technology for classics. Under the name ‘eCrate’, the brand wants to offer complete packages for owners of classic Chevys who want to convert their car to an EV. The Blazer-E that the brand is taking to the SEMA fair shows what that will look like in practice. To begin with, the 177 hp 6.5-liter V8 from the Blazer has had to make way for an electric motor from the Chevrolet Bolt. That does not sound very high, but with 200 hp and 360 Nm of torque, there is more power available than on petrol. This electric motor is linked to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission from Chevrolet Performance. The rest of the Blazer’s drivetrain, including the drive shaft and transfer case, remains unchanged.
In order to provide the electric motor with power, a battery with a capacity of 60 kWh has been placed in the cargo area of ​​the Blazer. The battery is open in it, which may have been done to show what the technology looks like. After all, it would not be very practical for daily use to have the battery open and exposed in the cargo area. The wiring and control is also the same for the battery as in the Bolt EV, so things like regenerative braking and overcharge protection are also present on the Blazer. Furthermore, the Blazer-E has electric power steering and the original gauges in the dashboard are linked to the electric powertrain, so that the fuel gauge now shows the battery level.
Several possibilities
The Blazer-E is therefore just a show model that shows what is possible with the eCrate package. Chevrolet plans to launch it in the second half of 2021, and is currently training dealers and assemblers on how to install the conversion. Last year, at the SEMA Show, Chevrolet already unveiled the electric E10 Concept as a precursor to this plan. The Blazer-E is a variation on this. Ultimately, the intention is to offer multiple eCrate packages for different models, of course also with different power levels. In the long term, GM’s modular Ultium battery technology should also be used for this.