Chevrolet Spark EV EPA Rated With 82-Mile Range

Stephen Elmer
by Stephen Elmer

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released official fuel consumption and range ratings for the Chevrolet Spark EV today.

According to the EPA Chevrolet’s little electric car is capable of a maximum 82-mile driving range and returns 119 MPGe in combined city and highway driving.

“We’re poised to deliver to the market an EV that’s not just efficient, but also thrilling to drive thanks to the 400 lb-ft torque output of its electric motor,” said Pam Fletcher, GM executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles.

Spark EVs get their power from a 21 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that puts out 130 hp and is covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty.

Using DC fast charging, the Spark EV can regain up to 80 percent of its capacity in approximately 20 minutes, while using a dedicated 240V outlet, charging will take “less than seven hours.”

SEE ALSO: Fiat 500e Comes With Gas-Powered Alternative

The Spark EV doesn’t quite beat the competition however, as Fiat recently unveiled the 500e, which tops the Spark EV with 87 miles of range, and a free gas-powered rental car if the owners want to take a long trip.

The Spark EV will be offered for sale this summer in California and Oregon.

GALLERY: Chevy Spark EV

Discuss this story at sparktalk.com

Stephen Elmer
Stephen Elmer

Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>

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 5 comments
  • Chad Chad on Apr 24, 2013

    The distance from Cincinnati to Columbus is roughly 100 miles via I-71. This car would never reach. What is the point of these short-distance cars? If you live in a city, you take the bus/subway and don't need a car. If you live in rural suburbia, you require a normal car. Exactly what market are these toy cars intended?

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    • Perry F. Bruns Perry F. Bruns on Apr 29, 2013

      I live just outside Tampa. The ground isn't far enough above sea level for subways, and taking the bus would be career suicide, since it takes 2-3 hours EACH WAY to get anywhere that's anywhere, and then there's usually up to a half mile of walking to one's actual destination. However, the only time I typically drive more than 80 miles is when I drive to Orlando, so this car actually would meet my needs about 350 days of the year. For the rest of the time, I can borrow my wife's car if need be. Oh, and since the I-4 corridor is a very fast-growing light industrial and information business sector, we expect Level 3 fast-charging systems online in just a few short years, so...yeah.

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