2013 CHEVROLET Spark EV 105 kW (143 HP)

Vehicle Overview

While in Europe the Chevrolet Spark was not such successful as expected, the GM tried to sell that on the U.S. market, where the bow-tie brand has more recognition. And it was powered by electricity too!

The third generation of the Chevrolet Spark was launched in 2009 but it wasn’t until 2012 when the GM introduced the EV version at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It featured the same exterior design as its gasoline-powered sibling, but with a different grille. There was no need for a radiator for an internal combustion engine since it didn’t have one. The Spark EV was the first electric car built by GM since the GM EV1, which was discontinued in 1999.

Inside, the Spark EV retained the same simple design of the gasoline-powered version, but it featured a completely new instrument cluster with a 7” TFT color display. On the center stack, there was another display for the infotainment system.

Under the hood, there was a 140 hp electric motor supplied by a rear-mounted 21.3 kWh battery. Due to the added weight, the Spark was fitted with disc-brakes in all corners and reinforced suspension. An active shutter grille was mounted on the lower part of the front bumper to help cool the engine. After 2014, the battery was replaced with a 19 kWh pack supplied by LG Chem but kept the same 132 km (82 miles) range. But the engine was downgraded to 130 hp.