Chevrolet claims that the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is the “industry benchmark in retail electric vehicle efficiency” with a combined city/highway EPA estimated range of 82 miles when fully charged and an EPA-estimated combined city/highway 119 MPGe fuel economy equivalent.
Compared to the average new vehicle, the Spark EV can potentially save its owners up to US$9,000 in fuel cost over five years, Chevrolet claims. The Spark EV goes on sale this summer in California and Oregon.
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“Being able to provide our customers with the best overall efficiency of any retail EV has always been a key target for the Spark EV engineering team,” said Pam Fletcher, GM executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles. “We’re poised to deliver to the market an EV that’s not just efficient, but also thrilling to drive thanks to the 400 lb-ft torque output of its electric motor.”
The Spark EV’s 21 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will come with a warranty protection of eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Chevrolet also says the Spark EV will be the first vehicle on the market to offer as an available option the recently approved SAE combo charger for DC Fast Charging. The capability, available shortly after launch, will enable the Spark EV to recharge up to 80% of its capacity in approximately 20 minutes.
The battery system is capable of handling multiple DC Fast Charges daily, Chevrolet claims. Charging can also be completed in less than seven hours using a dedicated 240V charge. A 120V charge cord set comes standard. Charging can be managed and monitored remotely using the Spark EV’s smart phone application, provided by OnStar, which is standard for three years.
“The Chevrolet Spark EV is a great city car which blends technology, functionality and style in an unexpected package,” said Cristi Landy, director of Chevrolet small and electrified vehicle marketing. “We built on the success of the Volt and the gas-powered Spark to offer an affordable, fun and efficient mini car our customers will love to drive.”
The GM designed oil-cooled, permanent magnet motor is the heart of the Spark EV’s propulsion system, the company says. Putting more than half a million road miles on development versions of the Spark EV enabled engineers to make the performance of the electric motor the “best it could be by using a bar wound copper stator and unique rotor configuration”. The motor and drive unit are assembled at GM’s Baltimore operations plant in White Marsh, Maryland.
