Autoblog

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV makes first appearance in LA

Michael Harley — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

While we still haven't learned how far it goes on a charge, Chevrolet offered the media a very close look at its upcoming 2014 Spark EV at an event the evening before the LA Auto Show rang its opening bell. Not only did we have a chance to look at the $32,500 ($25,000 after tax incentives) five-door urban mini car in its production-ready state, but the automaker brought a second Spark EV opened up like a sardine can so we could view its technical innards.

As we mentioned yesterday when the Spark EV was unveiled, the five-passenger pure-electric is fitted with a 20-plus kilowatt-hour battery pack driving the front wheels. Thanks to its 110 kW (130 horsepower) electric motor generating a whopping 400 pound-feet of torque, it scoots to 60 mph in less than eight seconds. Even better, Chevy is promising it will offer "among the best EV battery range in its segment" and the capability to accept SAE Combo DC Fast Charging (this means it is able to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes).

Check out our live photo gallery to get a closer look at its mechanical layout and the location of its 560-pound battery pack.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV makes first appearance in LA

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV makes first appearance in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Spark EV unveiled, priced under $25K with tax incentives

Domenick Yoney — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Chevrolet, Electric

The last veil has been lifted from the 2014 Chevy Spark EV, allowing us to finally view the Korean import in all its aero-optimized glory. While we aren't much surprised by its appearance - the prototype in our First Drive wore only the thinnest of camo disguises - we were a bit taken aback by the announced pricing.

Customers will need to scrounge up almost $25,000 to park GM's first purchasable (you could only lease its predecessor, the EV1) all-electric automobile in their driveways. That's just under $32,500 for those who don't qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Or, to put it another way, almost double the base price of the gasoline-powered version after the federal incentive.

In the context of other available electrics, that puts it well below the after-incentive $32,495 for the Ford Focus EV, but substantially higher than the $21,625 needed to bring home a Mitsubishi i. More importantly, it puts it dangerously close to the Nissan Leaf's current post-credit $27,700 pricetag, and perhaps even above the cost of the 2013 American-built model.

Luckily, GM isn't betting the farm with the Spark EV. With its US rollout expanded only slightly from California to include Oregon, the peppy little hatch should find enough buyers to suit its compliance purposes. And, like its plug-in Chevy Volt sister, the Spark shouldn't be seen as a means to an end in itself, but rather a starting point towards further electrification options for future models.

To get all the details - except, oddly enough, the estimated range expected from its 20-plus kilowatt-hour battery pack - check out the official press release below.

Continue reading Chevy Spark EV unveiled, priced under $25K with tax incentives

Chevy Spark EV unveiled, priced under $25K with tax incentives originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production Chevrolet Spark EV to debut in LA

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

It's been a little over a year since General Motors first told us that an all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark would be heading to the United States. And now, The General has confirmed that the little EV will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month.

Chevrolet isn't spilling any details on the Spark EV just yet, only stating that the vehicle "will offer consumers the same package that has made the gasoline-powered model so popular while delivering the technology and performance of pure electric power." Not much to talk about there, and the only bits of information divulged previously are that the Spark EV will be sold in "limited quantities in select US and global markets" and that the nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs will be supplied by A123 Systems.

In other LA Auto Show news, GM will be showing off an updated version of the Chevrolet MyLink system that will debut in the 2014 Impala. The refreshed system offers higher levels of personalization and improved smartphone integration. Scroll down for all the details.

Continue reading Production Chevrolet Spark EV to debut in LA

Production Chevrolet Spark EV to debut in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM battery lab explosion cost could reach $5M

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, GM, Electric

Last week, a fire broke out at the General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan. General Motors has since said the fire was caused by a battery that was being tested under "extreme stress." Engineers were trying to get the pack to fail, which it did, but not to ignite, which it also did when gases leaked out and somehow caught fire.

There's one detail we have not heard yet, and that's how much the fire could end up costing GM: up to $5 million, the The Detroit News reports, based on information that the automaker's representatives submitted in a police report. The local fire department has estimated that the damage could be closer to $3 million, with one million of that due to property loss - at least two labs were damaged - and $2 million worth of damage to the labs' contents. An investigation into the cause and extent of the fire continues.

The battery pack involved was not the same as the one used in the Chevrolet Volt and GM says that the incident has not negatively affected Volt sales. Media reports have suggested the battery is be intended for the Spark EV program and that the prototype battery pack was made by A123 (which has had other battery issues recently). Multiple people were injured in the fire but only one remains in the hospital because of "an estimated four-inch gash to the back of his head."

GM battery lab explosion cost could reach $5M originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Five people hurt in GM lab explosion, A123 battery reportedly responsible

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, GM

More details are filtering in about yesterday's explosion at the General Motors Technical Center battery research lab in Warren, Michigan.

First, the number of people injured has climbed to five, with one taken to the hospital and four treated at the scene. The local deputy fire chief said none of the injuries were life-threatening. The fire department also told the local mayor that it was fumes from hydrogen sulfide that caused the explosion, but GM declined to comment on that aspect. We learned yesterday that a battery under "extreme testing" caused the explosion.

According to The Detroit News' David Shepardson on Twitter, "Chemical gases from the battery cells were released and ignited in the enclosed chamber. The battery itself was intact" and, "All areas of the Alternative Energy Center except for the battery lab and adjacent offices will operate normally on Thursday."

Unnamed sources have told the media that it was a prototype battery pack made by A123 that caused the fire. Fox News says that pack was being tested for use in the Chevy Spark EV and other all-electric vehicles. Batteries made by A123 were recently involved in a $55 million replacement effort in the Fisker Karma.

Five people hurt in GM lab explosion, A123 battery reportedly responsible originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy announces all-electric Spark EV city car for U.S.

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

Looks like there was a good reason that Chevrolet dropped the "More car than electric" tagline for its Chevy Volt. That anti-EV phrase was always short-sighted, and the reason why was announced this morning in Detroit. General Motors has revealed that in addition to selling its global Chevy Spark mini car in the U.S. next year, an all-electric version called the Spark EV will be joining it in 2013.

That GM is working on an all-electric Spark is no surprise; a version of the vehicle (also known as the Beat) was shown in India earlier this year and GM CEO Dan Akerson said at the Detroit Auto Show this past January that his company was working on an all-electric vehicle to be sold in the U.S. A Spark EV also fit the rumors that GM's new electric car would be small and designed for urban areas, particularly in California, where it would be used to meet the upcoming ZEV mandate changes.

Official details released by GM this morning back this up. According to the automaker, the Spark EV will use nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs from A123 Systems and be sold in "limited quantities in select U.S. and global markets starting in 2013, including California." More specific details about power, range and overall performance will be released at a later date.

Continue reading Chevy announces all-electric Spark EV city car for U.S.

Chevy announces all-electric Spark EV city car for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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