The Reason Chey Is Bringing Back Camaro EV Is Possibly The Reason Ford Named Its EV The Mustang

GM seems to be seriously committed to making electric vehicles, but there is no clear plan for the future of the Chevrolet Camaro: a popular gasoline-powered muscle car. There is speculation that the Camaro might be discontinued altogether, or that it might be replaced with an electric crossover SUV. As of now, the final Camaros will be sold as 2024 models, with the last units set to roll off General Motors’ Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant in Michigan in January 2024.

However, GM president Mark Reuss wants the Camaro to return as an electric car that appeals to a broad range of buyers. He also wants it to be affordable and priced similarly to the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV. He wants the Camaro EV to start at $34,995 with a potential federal tax credit of $7500. An electric Camaro could be especially appealing to first-time EV buyers who are not interested in very high-performance cars.

In online forums many car enthusiast don’t like the idea of Camaro EV. Many of them discuss the topic on Torque News Facebook page and say if you want to make an electric performance car name it something else, not a Camaro. 

There are challenges to designing an electric Camaro, however. Two-door cars are not very popular today, so a new Camaro might have four doors. This would make it less like a traditional muscle car. There is also no guarantee that the car would be affordable or high-performing.

Indeed. But why do you think GM is bringing back the Camaro in an EV form? It may have something to do with the success of Ford Mustang Mach-E, and there is an interesting opinion about that.

Chris Cowart, a top contributor to Torque News Facebook channel, writes:

The reason they’re doing this is the same reason that ford named their ev the Mustang instead of another name.

Manufacturers have to meet emission thresholds per vehicle model name. The electric Mustang offsets the emissions of the gas Mustangs. The more electric Mustangs they sell, the more 500hp v8 limited edition Mustangs they can sell.

Chevy already canceled the camaro. The only way they can bring it back is by heavily offsetting the emission requirements with ev sales.

Chris has an interesting perspective, and it’s partially true in my opinion. Here’s why GM might be bringing back the Camaro EV, considering both emissions regulations and brand recognition.

Chris is right that stricter emission standards are a factor. Automakers need to achieve a certain average fuel efficiency or electric vehicle range across their entire lineup. Electric vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions can help offset the emissions of gasoline-powered cars like high-performance Camaros. This allows them to continue selling those models without penalty.

However, there’s more to it than just regulation. The Camaro name holds a lot of value for Chevrolet. It’s a recognizable and desirable brand, especially among muscle car enthusiasts. Replacing it entirely would be a missed opportunity. An electric Camaro allows them to capitalize on brand recognition while entering the growing electric vehicle market.

Here’s a breakdown:

• Emissions: Electric Camaro helps GM meet overall emission standards.
• Brand Value: Camaro name is strong, and an electric version keeps it relevant.

So, it’s a combination of factors. The Camaro EV can help with emissions compliance while leveraging brand recognition to reach new customers interested in electric vehicles.

But there is an opposing view as well. One person wrote and said “If you want it to fail, build a Camaro without a V8 engine. It might not be as “quick” or even as cheap, but that’s what that car is about. It’s just another failure brought to us by GM. It’s a sad day as a Chevy guy I have to buy a Mustang to get a V8 pony car.”

Others question and ask: “Why are they turning all the fun cars that are bought by enthusiasts into EV’s? They’re definitely losing sales. Turn some regular sedans into EV, not the muscle cars.

It’s worth noting that GM hasn’t officially confirmed the Camaro EV, but strong hints suggest it’s coming. Let me know your thoughts friends, would you like the idea of an EV Camaro? Please, click the red link to comment your opinion below and join the discussion.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.