Owning a pure electric vehicle requires making a few adjustments. While it’s operating costs are far cheaper than a comparative model that requires gas, one can not simply pull into the nearest filling station and fill ‘er up. At least, not yet. So to get the most out of your EV, such as the 2014 Spark EV, Chevrolet has provided a few pointers:
- Recharge daily — which can be done quicker than ever before with the soon-to-be-available SAE combo charger for DC fast charging. It can recharge the 21-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to 80-percent capacity in 20 minutes.
- Extend range – Maximize the mini-car’s EPA-estimated 82 miles (130 km) of driving range by recharging in public charging stations, or use Spark EV’s standard 120V cord in any outlet.
- Don’t be a juice hog – Public charging stations are in high demand. After charging, move on so that other EV owners can recharge. Or if parking conditions allow, place a note on your dashboard saying it’s okay to unplug your car if the green light indicating a full charge is flashing.
- Know the distance – The available BringGo smartphone app can help Spark EV owners know how far they can go without recharging by providing full-function, in-dash navigation via Chevrolet MyLink as well as live traffic updates, for less than $60.
- Go with the flow – Many EV owners like to maximize range by driving at or below the speed limit. No problem, just steer clear of the fast lane so other Spark EV drivers can enjoy their instant torque.
- Be loud – The Pedestrian Friendly Alert Function projects a light chirp and calls attention to Spark EV’s presence. Pulling the turn signal lever back while in Drive will give a friendly honk. The alert can be set to activate automatically in Drive and Reverse at speeds below 18 mph (28 km/h).
- Enjoy the savings – Spark EV can save its owners approximately $9,000 in fuel over five years compared to the average new vehicle – that’s $150 per month that can be spent on something else.
- Be an EV advocate – Expect to get lots of questions about Spark EV, and share your experience of being gas-free.
Comment
GM is holding back its biggest success by not offering this Spark EV all across the nation now. The imports will get a big headstart! Come on, GM, sell this car EVERYWHERE!