Reports: GM to offer all-electric city car in US
11 October 2011
The Detroit News reported that GM will announce on Wednesday it will introduce a full battery-electric city car in the US. Green Car Reports fleshed that basic item out with additional details:
The vehicle is the Chevrolet Spark EV, unveiled as the Chevrolet Beat EV, in India. It is an conversion of the upcoming 2013 Chevrolet Spark/Beat minicar. (Earlier post.)
(In 2009, General Motors India and Reva Electric Car Company (REVA) entered into a collaboration agreement to develop electric vehicles for the Indian market. The partnership is focused on car platforms, electric vehicle technology and advanced control systems. Earlier post.)
The battery Spark will be largely focused on California’s ZEV mandate, and volumes will be low—perhaps some 2,000 units per year.
GM is holding a press conference on Wednesday in conjunction with Chevrolet’s upcoming centennial.
In-city car sharing could use up to 100,000 of these in USA and probably 4 to 6 times as many worldwide. Many Leaf, Miev and e-Smart will be used as such in the very near future.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 October 2011 at 07:50 AM
With a 20 kWh, 270 kg Li-ion battery pack, (range of up to 80 miles) it is probably priced too high for most, for such a little (city?) car.
It does not necessarily look ugly - a matter of taste I guess (the AZTEC IS just ugly)
2,000 units per year sounds like they will be in demand though. That's good.
If this is just a demo/PR project (only 2000 available), maybe they will be priced low - or even for lease, lease-to-own or lease-to-crush.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 12 October 2011 at 09:04 AM
GM is responding to the need to continue to develop their line of PH/EV vehicles globally. The cost of electricity will continue to drop with new technology and the limits of $4-5.00 gas will be greater.
The first decent looking 50M AER EV under $20k will launch the entry level market for electric cars. Charging at home - like charging a cell phone - will be the new light transport fuel standard.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 12 October 2011 at 01:27 PM