L.A. 2012: Chevrolet Fully Reveals Spark EV, Expected To Be Priced Under $25,000*
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After disclosing powertrain information on the upcoming 2014 Spark EV, Chevrolet has shared with us the remaining details of the mini car as the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show revs into gear. Perhaps most importantly, it is expected that the Spark EV will be attainable for $25,000, after all tax incentives are put in place. And, like the Chevrolet Volt, the Spark EV’s battery warranty is good for eight years or 100,000 miles.
The battery itself is composed of of a 560-pound (254 kg) square lithium-ion battery pack with a volume of 133 liters, composed of 336 prismatic cells. It also marks the first all-electric vehicle in North America to offer an optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charge capability, a feature that can charge the battery to 80 percent of capacity in about 20 minutes. Though when using a more traditional 240V outlet, the Spark EV can recharge from empty to a full charge in less than seven hours.
The interior of the Spark EV will also show advancements over its gas-powered brother, with a pair of seven-inch LCD screens displaying both infotainment and driving information — again, like the Chevrolet Volt. The car is also packed with app capabilities right out of the box that users can pair with their smartphones. These include the BringGo full-function navigation app, the TuneIn global internet radio app, along with the familiar Pandora and Stitcher apps– into the vehicle. For those with an iPhone 4S or newer, Siri also comes along for the ride.
Indeed, the Chevrolet Spark EV seems to be as much as a car as it is a mobile laptop complete with wheels and airbags that can accelerate from 0-60 in under eight seconds.
Aside from initially launching in California and South Korea, the Spark EV will go on sale in participating dealerships throughout Oregon, Canada plus other markets globally. And without question, the Spark EV will qualify for an HOV lane sticker in California.
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This looks like a very good step for GM. The Volt, this, then the ELR. Next they will need something like the MPV5, and they will be well on their toward leveraging the Voltec technology and reducing the prices of such vehicles.
A year ago there were 3 basic complaints of electric cars.
Price, range and charging time.
Charging time: 20 minute charges-acceptable for long distance driving.
Price: $25,000-while affordable not quite there for mass consumption, but getting close
range:???????????? Most likely this will have a 100 mile range. Not acceptable for long distance driving but plenty good for a day around town.
So for around town usage the Spark is just about there. Just need to get the actual before tax incentives price down another $5000 for mainstream volumes.
I don’t pay Federal taxes, since I don’t live in any of the fifty states. If the price is over $30,000 without tax incentives, then the Spark EV will not sell well, and be too expensive for me and many others. GM, bring the price down! The imports sell for less and will take away Spark EV sales. Get Obama to eliminate incentives for imports and give rebates for American EV buyers.
that’s kind of a lot for a small car