The EPA rates the range of the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV at 82 miles on a single charge, equivalent to 119 MPGe. However this figure is based on normal driving conditions. According to Chevrolet engineers, under ideal driving conditions the Spark EV could theoretically travel about 160-180 miles on a single charge.
When Digital Trends got word of this, they had to try it out. The engineers told them it would require driving for about nine hours straight at a leisurely pace of 18.5 mph. So they went to a racetrack, disabled the MyLink system and climate control in the Spark EV, inflated the tires to their maximum recommended level and set off to see how far they could really go on a single charge.
After 6 hours of monotonous driving at speeds that would put your grandmother to sleep, the Spark EV finally ran out of juice. It had completed 139.7 miles of driving off of a single charge, nearly 60 miles more than the estimated range for regular driving.
Digital Trends says a room full of Chevrolet engineers gasped collectively when they heard of their achievement. They asked them if they had set a record, but Chevy wouldn’t say, apparently out of fear that they would upset the EPA. So we’ll call it an unofficial record.
You can check out the full write-up on the long distance run right here.
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Irrespective. As long as "under regular driving conditions" it goes 82 miles / 130 kms, for a 1st gen spark ev, it is a good but very important step forward to get off oil.
Excellent news! GM has designed a superb powertrain and battery for the Spark EV, and should upscale that to larger BEVs such as a CUV, an SUV, a sedan and a pickup, which are the four most purchased vehicles in America. The Volt was the first step and the Spark Ev was the second toward the total electrification of America's transportation for clean, oil-free and quiet mobility.
Well done, Digital Trends! Now we expect GM to apply that information for the next generations of BEVs.
That is a lot of efficient miles! I think GM should finish what Saturn was starting with a new 2-Mode Hybrid or EREV CUV! The U.S. should ban conventional oil in vehicles and strictly use synthetic. The U.S. should also start using more biodiesel!