Chevy Spark EV Hits the Desert for Hot Weather Testing

We’re hitting the road again this weekend to complete some additional testing of the Chevrolet Spark EV, focusing on hot weather performance.  Our team will travel from Yuma, AZ, to Torrance, CA, this Sunday (June 24) to see how the Spark performs in the grueling heat of the desert.

During the 305 mile journey on I-8 West, across some country highways near the Anza-Borrego Desert State Wilderness Park and Warner Springs, AZ, through Laguna Niguel, CA, up into Torrance, we’ll be paying careful attention to how the battery and drivetrain systems perform in real-world conditions.

Before you ask, no, we do not expect the Spark to travel the full 305 miles on a single charge.  We’ll be stopping along the route to charge using DC fast charging.  As we make our stops we’d like for you to come by and say hello to our team and see the cars.  You can follow us as to travel along the route on our Twitter hashtag: #SparkEV.

Why are we doing this testing?  We want monitor how the Spark EV performs in a hot climate on various roads to optimize driving efficiency.  We’ll be watching to see how much the EV range varies in the hot weather and various types of operating scenarios—from interstate highways to country roads.

This drive will allow us to see if we need to make any last-minute adjustments to improve overall operating efficiency.

So, keep watching Twitter to learn where we’ll be stopping along the route on Sunday and if you’re in the area come take a picture of the Spark EV and post it.