Chevy on Wednesday confirmed what had already leaked out on Tuesday: it will produce an all-electric version of the Spark minicar and sell it “in limited quantities in select US and global markets starting in 2013, including California”.
“The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option,” said Jim Federico, the bow tie badge’s global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles. “It complements Chevrolet’s growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology.”
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Feedback from participants in Chevrolet’s electric vehicle demonstration fleets in Shanghai (Sail EV), Korea (Cruze EV) and India (Beat EV) are being incorporated into the Spark EV.
“Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments,” said Federico. “The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet’s plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world.”
A123 Systems will supply the advanced nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Spark EV. Details on specific markets, range, quantities and pricing will be announced later.
GM had planned to announce its latest green vehicle at a press event in Detroit to celebrate Chevrolet’s 100th birthday.
But the Detroit News broke the basic story, and GreenCarReports quickly followed up with more detail.
GCR suggested volume will be low, perhaps 2,000 cars a year. This may be just enough for GM to comply with California’s unique Zero-Emissions Vehicle mandate.
That number may, in fact, be roughly similar to the planned volumes for the 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV, another battery electric conversion of a petrol car – in conjunction with Tesla – to be sold in California.
The 2013 model’s front-end design will differ somewhat from the Spark now on sale in Asia and Europe.
