Chevrolet Spark EV To Electrify L.A. Auto Show
General Motors will advance its electric car strategy at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show with the introduction of the Chevrolet Spark EV. Based on the smallest vehicle currently available in the automaker's North American line-up, the Spark EV is a pure electric automobile that makes exclusive use of battery power to provide forward motivation.
The Chevrolet Spark EV is intended to satisfy those seeking a 'city car,' that is to say an automobile that is used primarily within the boundaries of a major metropolitan area. The subcompact hatchback is ideal for navigating through tight urban streets, and the proliferation of charging options within city limits makes the vehicle a more practical choice than it would be for rural drivers.
The Spark EV offers up the equivalent of 130 horsepower - impressive numbers for such a lightweight vehicle, and more robust than the less than 90 ponies found under the hood of the gas-only Spark that is available for sale at the present moment. The vehicle's cruising range has yet to be made public by GM, but it is reasonable to expect at least 50 miles and possible as much as 75 miles of driving before the battery needs to be recharged. This would satisfy a great many of the commuters who are the target market for the small electric car.