Chevrolet Spark EV unveiled ahead of Los Angeles International Auto show

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, introduced ahead of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, packs smart performance and connectivity technologies into an affordable five-door urban mini car designed to make the trip as electrifying as the destination. With the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet accounts for more than 50 percent of all plug-in electric vehicle sales in the United States and Spark EV builds on Chevrolet's proven electric motor and battery development programmes. When it goes on sale next summer, the Spark EV is expected to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability enabling the Spark EV to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes.

"When you engineer a technology filled, all-electric mini car that goes from 0 to 100 km/h in less than eight seconds, customers won't miss the gas," said Mark Reuss, President, General Motors North America. "The Volt and now the Spark EV show that Chevrolet not only knows EVs better than anyone else, we also know how to help customers get the most out of their EV experience."

Inside the Spark EV, critical vehicle functions are clearly and intuitively displayed on one of the vehicle's two reconfigurable, high-resolution, seven-inch colour LCD screens, including a confidence gauge that shows the expected driving range based on driving habits and other conditions.

The soul of Spark EV

Spark EV is powered by an advanced electric motor and battery system. It consists of a GM-designed, coaxial drive unit and electric motor that together deliver 130bhp (110 kW) and 542Nm of torque for instant acceleration, and a more than 20kWh lithium-ion battery is expected to provide among the best EV range performance in its segment.

Spark EV's long-life battery is designed to be safe, durable and reliable, and is warranted for eight years or 160,934 km. It consists of a 254kg square lithium-ion battery pack with a volume of 133 litres, comprising of 336 prismatic cells.

Leading the charge

Spark EV is the first all-electric vehicle in North America to offer optional SAE Combo DC Fast Charge capability, which can charge the battery to 80 percent of capacity in about 20 minutes. A common on-board charging receptacle accommodates all three charging platforms - DC Fast Charge, AC 240V and AC 120V.

Using a dedicated 240V outlet, Spark EV recharges in less than 7 hours. Owners can coordinate charging according to departure time or during off-peak electricity rates. They also can manage and monitor the vehicle remotely via computer at OnStar.com, or with a special Chevrolet Mobile App powered by OnStar Remote Link. The Spark EV comes with three years of standard OnStar service.

Energy-saving exterior with a tech-filled interior

In developing the Spark EV, Chevrolet set out to help customers conserve as much total energy as possible to maximise battery range. One important way to achieve that is by improving the vehicle's aerodynamics. By evaluating every detail of the gasoline-powered Spark, designers and aerodynamic engineers added the equivalent of about 40km of real world range.

Spark EV colours include Electric Blue, Black Granite, Summit White, Silver Ice and Titanium. Inside, designers sought to create a comfortable and spacious cockpit with noise reduction features and a combination of bright accents in Electric Blue and chrome.