Chevrolet to begin selling Spark EV in Maryland
22 January 2015
Chevrolet will start selling the Spark EV in Maryland this spring, the electric mini-car’s first entry into the East Coast market. The Spark EV delivers an EPA-estimated combined city/highway 119 MPGe fuel economy equivalent and 82 miles of EPA-estimated combined city/highway range.
The Spark EV is also sold in California and Oregon, where sales totaled 1,145 in 2014. Spark EV is priced as low as $17,845, after federal and Maryland tax credits, and it features a locally sourced electric motor and drive unit, manufactured at General Motors’ Baltimore Operations facility in White Marsh, Md.
Chevrolet requires service training certification before a dealer is authorized to sell the Spark EV because of its unique propulsion system.
The GM-built motor and drive unit deliver 327 lb-ft (444 nm) of torque, enabling a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds. With a 12.2-foot overall length and a tight 33.8-foot turning radius, Spark EV is suited for the tight confines of city streets and parking spaces.
Three available levels of recharging capability include the industry’s first use of the recently approved SAE combo charger for DC fast charging, which charges 80% of the battery in just 20 minutes. Aero refinements, unique wheels and tires and active shutter system on the grille opening help extend the Spark EV’s range. Storing that energy from the charging process and the vehicle’s regenerative braking capability is a 19 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
I appreciate that GM is expanding their market on this car. I'd like to point out to the entire media industrial complex that the uptake on EVs is not disappointing or trivial as most EVs are not for sale to most people. In some cases too, such as with the ford EV, the car companies do not support their sales except in California. In other words, you can buy the Ford EV, but at most dealership they know nothing about them and there isn't any on the lot and their service people don't have the training to service them, but you can buy one. So, they are not truly for sale. I believe only an irrational person can say that EVs sales have been dismal or disappointing, or whatever else it is the brainwashers say about EVs, when in fact, most EVs are not available to most people.
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 28 January 2015 at 08:53 AM