The Chevrolet Spark EV will make its European debut at the Geneva motor show, just a few month after its global reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. Consumers on the right side of the Atlantic will then be able to buy the electric citycar when it goes on sale in select European markets (read: those with the necessary infrastructure in place) in 2014 onwards.
We’ve covered General Motor’s small wonder in detail before, so here’s the gist of it. Power comes from a permanent magnet electric motor delivering over 130 hp/100 kW and 541 Nm(!). 0 to 100km/h sprint is taken care of in under 8.5 seconds, with an electric range that is “among the best in its class”. No exact figure has been announced, but expect it to be in the 160-200 km range.
It utilises a modern lithium-ion battery system of more than 20 kWh that is engineered to enable both regular alternate current (AC) and direct current (DC) fast charging. The latter requires specialised charging stations and will allow the car to recharge up to 80% of its capacity in 20 minutes. A standard charge using a 230V outlet (AC) takes between six to eight hours.
The Chevrolet Spark EV is set to enter the North American market sometime this year, priced under US$32,000. EV tax incentives will bring the figure down to around US$25,000. European prices have yet to be released.
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This Chevy Spark a.k.a. Daewoo Matiz
Europeans think very lowly of American brands. This car is doomed for failure. To make matters worse, not just Europeans but globally, everyone thinks lowly of Daewoo. Everyone also knows this is 100% rebadged Daewoo.