Unlike EV1: taken back, crushed, and mislabeled 'No one wanted them' http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2013/06/first-drive-electrifying-the-chevrolet-spark.html [images] First drive: The Chevrolet Spark EV shocks us by Gabe Shenhar Jun 20 2013
[images http://news.consumerreports.org/assets_c/2013/06/Spark-EV-thumb-240xauto-7105.jpg http://news.consumerreports.org/Chevrolt-Spark-EV-recharging-ATD.jpg ] The latest Chevrolet Spark is the most recent EV to attempt to shatter electric cars' reputation as anemic and inept. And it succeeds, being the best version of this small hatchback. Unlike the Mitsubishi i, this is no glorified golf cart. The Spark EV is General Motors' entry in the crucial California market to meet that state's Zero Emissions Vehicle requirement. But it's also one of the most enjoyable electric cars we've driven and a compelling overall package. Turning the diminutive Spark into an EV transforms it into a punchy, zippy, fun little runabout, a far cry from the conventional, slow noisy and stiff Spark that earned a meager overall score in our tests. Changes to the Spark's weight distribution and suspension, to deal with the extra 560-pounds of battery weight, contribute to more responsive handling, making the Spark EV feel sporty. Ride comfort is also significantly more compliant and tied down than in the regular Spark. Producing about 130 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, the electric motor is a gift that keeps on giving. Press the go-pedal and the car catapults forward, but unlike some EVs, the thrust doesn't wane. The Spark EV keeps gathering speed enthusiastically all the way to its top speed of 90 mph. The sprint from 0-60 mph is claimed to be between 7.5 and 8 seconds, which is more than believable. It takes some getting used to use the throttle's touchiness to avoid torque steer. The shifter has two modes: "Drive" works like a conventional automatic transmission without aggressive regenerative braking. "Low" maximizes regenerative braking and slows the car down as soon as you lift off the accelerator. The electric juice comes from a 21.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that straddles the rear axle and doesn't bite into the Spark's already tiny cabin or cargo space. It gives the Spark EV an EPA-estimated range of 82 miles, similar to that of the Ford Focus EV and Fiat 500e, and longer than the Nissan Leaf's 75 miles. While that is a real limitation, the car is intended as an urban commuter expected to be recharged routinely at home overnight. It takes seven hours to replenish the battery on 240 volts. It could have been faster had GM chosen a 6.6-kWh onboard charger, but GM's engineers say they didn't see the need for it. They did, however, go to the trouble of equipping the Spark with the new SAE "combo" charging port that eventually will allow for fast DC charging to 80 percent of the battery's capacity in 20 minutes. The Spark takes advantage of many systems used in the Chevrolet Volt, including some of its gauges and driver interface. The range indicator is prominent and includes an optimistic estimate in case you're driving frugally and a pessimistic one in case you're exploiting the car's effortless punch too often. We found this feature handy, minimizing the tendency for range indicators to jump around too dramatically as you drive. Hence, the gauge is appropriately called the "confidence meter." The electric Spark's newfound quietness helps you to better enjoy the connected radio that GM refers to internally as "Buy-Own." The system, much of which is also included in the gas Spark, combines Pandora, Stitcher, and Tune-In Internet radio, Siri voice commands, Bluetooth phone pairing, and a navigation system called BringGo. The services rely on your phone's data connection, so you need to be mindful of how much data you use. BringGo downloads its maps to your phone, so it minimizes the data transfer compared to, say, Google navigation. In the Spark EV, concentric circles on the maps show how far you can venture based on the car's remaining range. The Spark goes on sale this summer in only California and Oregon for $27,495. But it is eligible for $10,000 worth of tax credits in California or $8,250 in Oregon. The Spark EV can also be leased for $99 down and $199 a month for three years (which includes the tax credits; you don't get them separately). We think the Spark EV is by far the best version of this car, and it has the potential to appeal to others interested in electric vehicles beyond California and Oregon. [© 2006-2013 Consumer Reports] ... http://www.ev1.org/ EV1 Electric Car was CRUSHED by GM ... http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/object-jun06.html The Death of the EV-1 Fans of a battery-powered emissions free sedan mourn its passing ... http://www.ev1.org/msg/6.htm Many lies are told by GM and its paid minions about the EV1 ... GM lies. That's a fact ... ... http://whokilledtheelectriccar.com/generationev/index.html Historic Procession & Funeral for the EV1 [image http://whokilledtheelectriccar.com/generationev/images/030724_EV1_processionWEB.jpg ] ... http://www.pbs.org/pov/borders/2004/air/air_ev1_p2.html [image http://www.pbs.org/pov/borders/2004/images/air_ev_p2_videopic.jpg ] [video http://youtube.com/watch?v=HZHka8KUj74 GM EV1 Funeral (Part 1) EV1Forever Jan 14, 2009 If You Agree That EV's (Electric Vehicles) Are The Answer To Our Problems & The Cure To Our Addiction To Oil ... In April of 2003 GM announced it was going to discontinue its plug-in battery EV1 program and terminate all EV1 leases. A funeral was held for the EV1 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on July 24, 2003. The funeral ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Brian Mayer. Ceremony speakers included Chris Paine, Wally Rippel, Eric Garcetti, Tom Gage, Ed Begley Jr., Ellen Crawford, Alexandra Paul, Alec Brooks, Howard Wilson, Paul MacCready, and Chelsea Sexton. The GM EV1 Will Never Be Forgotten & Will Always Remain Close To Our Hearts & Shall Never Be Seen As Discharged. http://youtube.com/watch?v=vwT0Ev8rRCI GM EV1 Funeral (Part 5) EV1Forever Jan 14, 2009 image http://www.ev1.org/gmboob8.jpg ] For all EVLN posts use: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/NamlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date Here are today's archive-only EV posts: EVLN: E-cart & Porsche-hybrid-prototype fires EVLN: Karsan's Concept V1, Awarded Taxi and Passenger EV Platform EVLN: Sexy Leaf Nismo RC EV, Road test EVLN: Tesla's Competitors Are Beginning To Give Up The EV Race + EVLN: Fiat 500e compliance-EV ’Sold Out’ in California {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Spark-a-GM-compliance-EV-that-you-can-actually-buy-video-tp4663903.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
