While us midwesterners still await availability of the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV, the car will be busy brushing up on its Spanish as it prepares for a Mexico launch in June of this year.
After much market research, General Motors decided it was the right time to introduce the 2015 Spark EV to the Mexican market, which happens to be Chevrolet’s first electric vehicle for the market.
“General Motors is now the most experienced automotive company in the behavior of extended range electric vehicles in the Mexican market, Â thanks to the pilot program ‘Experience Chevrolet Volt,’ the extended range electric units have traveled nearly a million kilometers in cities across the country, ” Ernesto Hernandez, President and CEO of GM of Mexico, said.
The 2015 Spark EV will arrive south of the border with 130 hp and an incredible 400 lb-ft of torque, a figure surpassing many V8 powered vehicles. That power comes from a 21.4 kilowatt lithium-ion battery, located above the rear axle. Total charging time for the Spark EV will take seven hours, but if consumers have access to a 480 volt charging station, 80 percent of the charge can be obtained in just 20 minutes, according to GM.
The vehicle also features regenerative braking to help replenish lost energy and recycle energy that is normally wasted, where it is then able to recharge the battery on the go, further extending the Spark EV’s range.
The 2015 Spark EV will be priced at $499.900 pesos, or about $32,934 USD, and optional-portable charging equipment will be available at the time of purchase. While Mexico enjoys the pint-sized EV, all the midwest can say is, “¡apresurar!” Hurry!
Comments
¡Apresúrense! (Hurry) This is great news! Let’s hope the 2016 Volt reaches the country of margaritas and señoritas as well.
Mexico City will be the best place for this BEV city car since they have a dangerous smog problem (worse than L.A.) due to the high altitude. Their favoorie color will be Jalapeño Green!
Por si acaso, soy Boricua y hablo español!
Gracias Raymond! Si, es verdad que acáen el D.F. existe un severo problema de smog. Aunque ya hay taxis de Nissan Leaf, es bueno que GM también se una a la fiesta.
Meanwhile, a wishful Pennsylvanian (in a CARB state no less) hears crickets and sees tumbleweeds when he asks when the Spark EV will arrive here. Not fair that it’s going to Mexico first……..but no surprise.
Get your state government to post a new incentive for EVs and GM will sell the Spark EV and otheres in that state. BTW, I visited Philadelphia many times between July 2000 and April 2009.
The President & CEO of GM is not Juan José Guerra Abud. Try Ernesto Hernandez. Abud is the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources for Mexico.
Matt,
It has been updated to reflect. Something was translated incorrectly from the initial information received. Thanks for catching that!
Cheers,
Sean