It turns out General Motors will continue to offer replacement batteries for the Chevy Spark EV after all.
A recent report written by a current Chevy Spark EV owner for an electric vehicle enthusiast site indicated that GM had decided to stop offering replacement 18.4 kWh battery packs for the Chevy Spark EV. We’re happy to now report this article wasn’t entirely accurate, as GM will indeed continue to sell replacement battery packs for the electric hatch. While it’s true Chevy Spark EV owners cannot currently order a replacement pack, a GM spokesperson confirmed to GM Authority that this is due to a temporary supply issue and the packs will soon return to its repair parts catalog.
“Recent reports speculating that GM will no longer provide battery pack replacements for the Spark EV are incorrect,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “While we are currently experiencing a temporary disruption in the supply of new Spark EV packs, GM remains committed to providing replacement packs to Spark EV owners who need them in the future and will work with owners until we get the supply issues resolved.”
The GM spokesperson also pointed out that the replacement battery packs will be supplied by Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem. The 2014 model year Chevy Spark EV was sold with a 21.4 kWh lithium-ion battery manufactured by a U.S.-based supplier called A123 Systems, however GM shifted the battery supply deal to LG Chem for the 2015 model year. This change saw the battery capacity dip from 21 kWh to 19 kWh, although the 2015 Spark EV’s range remained the same due to the LG battery’s superior performance.
It’s currently not clear when GM will begin to receive replacement battery packs for the Chevy Spark EV. GM Authority advises concerned owners to get in contact with their local Chevrolet dealership, which may be able to provide updates on repair parts availability for the vehicle.
The Chevy Spark EV was GM’s first all-electric passenger vehicle since the EV1. The electric hatch made its initial debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and went on sale two years later as a 2014 model year product. It features a single, front axle-mounted electric motor rated at 130 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque and boasted an EPA estimated range of 82 miles when new. Pricing for the 1LT trim level in the introductory 2014 model year started at $26,685.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM electric car news, Chevy Spark news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Sam – if I’m understanding correctly, you wrote an article off some posting you found online that you didn’t check with GM on prior to posting your article? Please tell me you’ve gone out and added supplemental information to your original article claiming how inaccurate that is.
Additionally, what steps are you taking in the future so we can trust the information being posted? Or do we need to take GM Authority reporting with a grain of salt?
Not exactly correct. The original source for this story DID contact GM, as well as multiple dealerships, got in direct contact with a regional executive (who wished not to be named of course), and was told directly and specifically by that executive that there were no more Spark batteries available, and no more would ever be made, period.
Sure, no one on the internet ever makes anything up.
The emphasis of my comment was that Sam uses his sources at GM to validate something from internet. That doesn’t appear to have occurred.
Yeah, actually GM DID buy back some Spark EV’s with faulty batteries, due to a lack of available parts.
I myself have had a Spark EV stuck at a dealership for over 3 months now, waiting for a charge controller, and GM currently has NO IDEA when the part will be available, if ever.
GM representatives HAVE, in fact said that batteries will never be available again, only to suddenly change their minds a few weeks ago… so your accusations are unfounded, and wrong.
Now that sounds more appropriate. I’m glad this article corrected the previous one on GMA.
GMpartsdirect will sell you a new pack for $23000. That’s a 24% discount from the msrp. You’d have to really love your spark to shell that out.
considering how much was a new spark ICE car?
Good news. I couldn’t fathom how gm thought they were going to entice car buyers into EVs when they made such a bone-headed move as to not support the few EVs they’ve already sold and render them obsolete.
I’m going with diesel. Diesel fuel will be available for a long while for agricultural, construction, and heavy transport vehicles. Also won’t need a $23k battery replacement after 5-8 years.
About as many EVs need a battery replacement after a decade as gas or diesel vehicles need an engine rebuild. It happens, but overall it’s pretty rare.
Ring ring. Thanks for calling Chevy Parts. You need a battery for a Chevy Tahoe hybrid? Hang on let me check. Please hold………………………………………/.///……….?,,????………….. thanks for holding. That part is no longer available from GM. What? Sir that language is not very nice. Click
So here I am, January 2023, trying to decide if it makes sense to buy a 2014 Chevy Spark EV. I think it will qualify for a tax credit, but how do I figure how much life is left on the battery, and if it needs replacement can I replace it? And if I can replace the battery, will a new battery cost more than the car?