The automaker has shut down regular manufacturing across North America to prevent coronavirus infections, and doesn’t expect to resume production until it can “safely” get back to business. While the tweaked Bolt EV wasn’t due to arrive until later in 2020, a shutdown for several weeks or more could disrupt operations and create a knock-on effect for releases like this.

Not that GM is alone. Tesla recently had to stop work at its Fremont plant due to California’s shelter-in-place order, while Lucid Motors is delaying the unveiling of its Air EV. Like it or not, the future of transportation (along with other fields) is being put on hold until it’s safe for factory workers and engineers alike.

Ultium batteries will normally support up to 200kW fast charging (slower than Tesla’s 250kW Supercharger V3, if still quick), but there will be 800-volt packs for trucks that will handle 350kW charging. They’ll be low-cobalt designs that are both cheaper than before (under $100 per kWh) and should raise fewer concerns about the labor required. Between the lower costs of the batteries themselves, the reuse of existing facilities and simpler car designs, GM expects its next wave of EVs to be “profitable” — it’ll have an incentive to sell them like any other car.

The self-driving Cruise Origin shuttle is GM’s first announced EV to use Ultium batteries, but it won’t be the last. You can also expect Cadillac to unveil an Ultium-powered Lyriq luxury SUV in April, while the Hummer EV will unsurprisingly use the tech as well. Not that GM is sitting tight otherwise. It’s planning a new version of the Bolt EV for late 2020 and the crossover Bolt EUV for summer 2021.

To some extent, the company doesn’t have much choice. Tesla has long claimed range as a central advantage, and it’s already getting nearly 400 miles from the Model S and X. If GM wants to be competitive, it’ll have to offer comparable abilities. And it’s not like other rivals are standing still — just ask Ford about the popularity of the Mach-E’s long range option. In that light, Ultium is less of a technical edge and more of a necessity.

As Jalopnik notes, the Menlo EV could be what would be called the Bolt EUV in the US. Just a few months ago, a report came out that Chevy is testing a utility-focused crossover that would be named the Bolt EUV once it hits the streets. Chevrolet will officially launch the vehicle at Chengdu Motor Show next month, where it will likely announce more information about it. Electrek says it’s expected to be available for sale later this year — in China, that is. It’s still unclear when the Bolt EUV will come out in the US and it will have similar specs.

According to the company, the perceived difficulty of installing an at-home charging station prevents some consumers from taking the plunge. “We’re excited that our Chevrolet Bolt EV owners can now enjoy the ease and accessibility of at-home charging,” said Kelly Helfrich, manager of GM’s EV infrastructure. “This is an important step forward on our journey toward a world with zero emissions.” It could also be a helpful sales incentive when GM’s EV tax credit runs dry sometime next year.

More importantly, there’s a tangible roadmap. GM will start testing the Uptis in Michigan later in 2019 on a fleet of Chevy Bolts, and expects the finished version to reach production cars as soon as 2024. The automaker hasn’t named specific car models that will use the new tires.

The Uptis should have immediate financial and safety benefits. While it won’t be completely invulnerable, blowouts, flat tires and irregular wear would be things of the past. However, GM and Michelin see this as particularly important for a future where electric and self-driving cars are commonplace. Airless tech reduces the need for environmentally harmful tire production, and eliminates the need for a spare tire that adds weight and shrinks fuel economy. They’d also help autonomous vehicles drive around the clock without fear that a stray nail will ruin a trip. Don’t be shocked if this becomes the norm, if just because the expectations for cars themselves will have changed.

Chevy has talked about producing more electric crossovers besides the Bolt EV, and it now appears much closer to fulfilling that goal. Our sister site Autoblog has obtained photos and video of Chevy testing a more utility-focused crossover, rumored to be named the Bolt EUV, on public streets. It’s heavily disguised, to put it mildly, but you can see a more SUV-like design with a larger back and a more vertical snout. While the current Bolt is officially labeled as a crossover, the EUV would bet better-suited to grocery runs and family vacations.