GM had plans to unveil its new build for the SEMA360 online digital trade show, but it seems that they let the K5 out of the bag. Last Thursday, Chevrolet unveiled a 1977 K5 Blazer with an aftermarket electric crate motor conversion kit that will be available to customers in the second half of 2021.
The 1977 SUV, dubbed Blazer-E, started off as a regular gas-powered K5 Blazer. The engineers then removed everything that an electric vehicle would no longer need. The engine, transmission, gas tank and exhaust were all discarded to make room for EV conversion kit which turns out to be mostly factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV.
The K5 Blazer-E serves as a showpiece for GM’s upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise conversion kit that includes a battery and motor you can use to convert pretty much anything it’ll fit in into an electric vehicle.
The Electric Connect and Cruise conversion kit comes with the following:
- 200 hp/266 lb-ft electric motor
- 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack
- DC-to-AC power inverter to drive the electric motor
- DC-to-DC power converter to power low-voltage systems
- Wiring harnesses, controllers and water pumps for battery heating and cooling
Although the motor provides direct drive in the Bolt, GM hooked it up to a 4-speed automatic transmission. General Motors will provide training to custom car outfits interested in making the swap to customers when it goes on sale late next year. They will be certifying Electric Connect and Cruise installers. Participating Chevrolet dealers and aftermarket companies will receive the training, tools and equipment needed to work with high-voltage systems and charging stations to service customers’ vehicles.
The K5 creation is just the beginning according to Jim Campbell, the GM U.S. VP of Performance and Motorsports. “As GM introduces a new fleet of electric vehicles, it creates an exciting opportunity to bring EV technology to the aftermarket. Our vision is to offer a comprehensive line of Connect and Cruise systems from Chevrolet Performance – delivering a solution for every customer ranging from LSX V-8s to eCrate conversions.”
We are certain this conversion kit will become a huge success for General Motors and classic car and truck enthusiasts alike. We are excited to learn more about the process and to begin seeing the marriage of future technology and classics of the past.
Check out this great video that shows the entire conversion process on the 1977 K5 Blazer as performed by the engineers at Chevrolet Performance.