I've asked my local Honda dealer to see what the situation is with the Fit EV availability in Pennsylvania. I think that Honda will go national with their waning Fit EV program before Spark EV is available outside of CA and OR. Getting the Chevy dealers on board with charging - I think that is another matter. I doubt they will pay for it and would require GM or federal credits to do that. There were a number of Chevy dealers who opted out of the Volt program once they had to buy special battery tools this past year. They weren't selling enough Volts to spend the nearly $10K (one shop told me $15K) for the tools. Those tools should have been housed at a regional dealership and rented out rather than being required to be purchased by *every* Chevy shop who wanted to sell/service Volts.
Requests for Spark EV
Upfront, I want to apologize for making a Spark EV suggestion on a Volt forum but right now there's nowhere else to go. I currently own a Volt and will keep it many years, but I want to get a Spark EV as well. Three requests:
- Make the Spark EV available in Utah (so far only CA, OR and WA have been announced)
- Provide a 6.6 kW option (cuts charging time by more than half)
- Highly incentivize dealers to provide free SAE DC quick charging - UT is unique is that its population is quite concentrated along the Wasatch front and the Chevrolet dealerships are located nicely along the freeway and downtown locations; making them perfect for a quick partial charge to get home if needed.
- Make the Spark EV available in Utah (so far only CA, OR and WA have been announced)
- Provide a 6.6 kW option (cuts charging time by more than half)
- Highly incentivize dealers to provide free SAE DC quick charging - UT is unique is that its population is quite concentrated along the Wasatch front and the Chevrolet dealerships are located nicely along the freeway and downtown locations; making them perfect for a quick partial charge to get home if needed.
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
It should eventually get here, but not before the rest of the US. A low population and lack of strong emissions regulations like California's CARB means that we'll be last.- Make the Spark EV available in Utah (so far only CA, OR and WA have been announced)
I would not expect a a 6.6 kW charging capability until 2015 or 216 when the Gen 2 Volt rolls out. I would expect GM to make it standard across the board for Volt, Spark, ELR, and whatever else is coming next.
At least I HOPE they make the switch across the board. A two hour Volt recharge would not be a must have, but would be nice for those who pay by the hour for public charging.
At least I HOPE they make the switch across the board. A two hour Volt recharge would not be a must have, but would be nice for those who pay by the hour for public charging.
Good Afternoon Kent,- Make the Spark EV available in Utah (so far only CA, OR and WA have been announced)
Currently the 2014 Chevrolet Spark-EV is only available at participating dealers in California and Oregon. Washington is not included in the launch market.
Thank you,
-Ian Chevrolet Volt Customer Service
FB:Good Afternoon Kent,
Currently the 2014 Chevrolet Spark-EV is only available at participating dealers in California and Oregon. Washington is not included in the launch market.
Thank you,-Ian Chevrolet Volt Customer Service
Shad Balch
Good questions! I'll try to shed some light:
No production numbers! At least not specifics. We learned the hard way with Volt when we said "10K in 2011..." When that didn't happen the detractors had a blast calling it a failure - despite the fact that it's one of the most successful vehicle programs ever done. So, not about to do arrange that silver platter again ... it really doesn't help.
CA and OR are amazing markets to launch EVs ... there's a tremendous appetite by all stakeholders for them to succeed there. That said, if you purchase a Spark EV it's yours to take wherever you choose (unless you took a state incentive, which may require you to keep it in bounds for a certain amount of time or risk forfeiting the $$$!)
If we were in the biz of doing compliance cars you'd see a bunch of golf carts with bow ties scooting around town. Make no mistake, Spark EV will definitely check some boxes with CARB. But we absolutely believe that we'll win if GM is the one with the best and baddest cars that don't burn gas. I mean, you're getting 400 lb ft of torque, DC fast charge capability (80% in 20 mins with combo connector), an incredible battery thermal management system and infotainment that does more than you'll ever need ... California has indeed set a minimum but the competitive advantage is gained when we do more (Volt, ELR!)
Need my coffee!
May 24 at 10:35am via mobile
I am also interested in the 2014 Spark EV. No local dealer here in Puerto Rico will sell the Volt, but there are some who do sell the gas Spark, so they may sell the EV version, too. I visited one of those dealers, and sat both in the driver's seat and in the rear seat. I was comfortable in both seats, and had no problems entering and exiting the seats (I'm 6 feet tall).
Of all the mini or city cars on the market, the Spark is the largest and with the most passenger space. The 2014 automatic gas model will have a CVT. See more here:
http://www.chevrolet.com/spark-city-car.html
http://www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle.html
You can compare the other city cars here:
http://www.chevrolet.com/tools/comparator/compareVehicle.do?pvc=133&snType=model&year=2014
(add the other city cars you wish to compare with)
Of all the mini or city cars on the market, the Spark is the largest and with the most passenger space. The 2014 automatic gas model will have a CVT. See more here:
http://www.chevrolet.com/spark-city-car.html
http://www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle.html
You can compare the other city cars here:
http://www.chevrolet.com/tools/comparator/compareVehicle.do?pvc=133&snType=model&year=2014
(add the other city cars you wish to compare with)
We are currently planning on adding SPARK EV and ELR forums to GM-VOLT.COM
WHen we fddo I will move this thread to a "Spark Suggestions" thread in that forum
WOT
WHen we fddo I will move this thread to a "Spark Suggestions" thread in that forum
WOT
I can't wait until they sell it in Illinois. I think it will sell well in the Chicago area. Heck, Peoria might be ready for it too. I just saw a charging station at McDonald's! I think that is the sign that EV's have finally made it in central Illinois.
I do believe that the 6.6 charger is a must. It is my favorite feature on my Leaf.
I do believe that the 6.6 charger is a must. It is my favorite feature on my Leaf.
Hopefully, the 2nd phase of the US rollout will include Maryland in 2014. Also, I eagerly anticipate a 6.6KW option on the Spark to augment the away-from-home DC fast charge capability. It would be a masterful stroke by GM if they coupled the 6.6Kw charger with the DC fast charge capability.Good Afternoon Kent,
Currently the 2014 Chevrolet Spark-EV is only available at participating dealers in California and Oregon. Washington is not included in the launch market.
Thank you,
-Ian Chevrolet Volt Customer Service
So the $750 is only for DC fast charging?I would not expect a a 6.6 kW charging capability until 2015 or 216 when the Gen 2 Volt rolls out. I would expect GM to make it standard across the board for Volt, Spark, ELR, and whatever else is coming next.
According to this url http://www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle/specs/trims.html the difference in price is $325.So the $750 is only for DC fast charging?
And yes, higher charging capacity is only the DC quick charge, does not include a 6.6 kw charger
You make some good points. The few articles that I've seen quote $5,100 for the battery tool set. Perhaps there are other expenses.Getting the Chevy dealers on board with charging - I think that is another matter. I doubt they will pay for it and would require GM or federal credits to do that. There were a number of Chevy dealers who opted out of the Volt program once they had to buy special battery tools this past year. They weren't selling enough Volts to spend the nearly $10K (one shop told me $15K) for the tools.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.d...312319969/some-volt-dealers-balk-at-tool-tab#
I totally agree. Not only would both those options together make the Spark EV quite convenient, but it would further take advantage of GM's superior TMS.Also, I eagerly anticipate a 6.6KW option on the Spark to augment the away-from-home DC fast charge capability. It would be a masterful stroke by GM if they coupled the 6.6Kw charger with the DC fast charge capability.
BTW, in my mind the Volt is the perfect transition car to a full EV. You get to experience and feel comfortable with the different variables (extreme cold, hills, high speed) have on mileage as well as how to depend on a KwH for transportation without any anxiety or risk. After driving a Volt for almost a year, I'm more comfortable with the notion of a full EV than I was before the Volt. I think a Volt/Spark EV would make a perfect combo for my garage.
I would assume that the Spark EV rollout beyond the first two states will follow to the dealerships where the most Volts have been sold...next...
I plan on a new car in about four years. Perhaps by then the Spark EV will be available in Illinois with a 6.6 kW charging capacity...I would assume that the Spark EV rollout beyond the first two states will follow to the dealerships where the most Volts have been sold...next...
Ah. At that price difference, I don't know why someone would buy a Spark without.According to this url http://www.chevrolet.com/spark-ev-electric-vehicle/specs/trims.html the difference in price is $325.
And yes, higher charging capacity is only the DC quick charge, does not include a 6.6 kw charger
It is sad to me that many auto manufacturers and their dealerships maintained a veil of ignorance regarding the actual capacities and features of their cars. I don't know that that will pass in this day and age, and they really need to start doing a better job of educating their potential customers. "DC Fast Charger? What's that? $325? No way." ... Two weeks later ... "What!?! You mean I can't charge quickly on my road trip!?!"
I've used the DC fast charger on my Leaf exactly once. That once was convenient but I could have used the 240V charger next to it and waited another hour.Ah. At that price difference, I don't know why someone would buy a Spark without.
DC chargers are great, don't get me wrong, but there are so few of them that getting the DC charging option isn't a no-brainer.
I decided to buy a Spark EV on Sunday (for factory invoice) without the DC charger, since I too, don't foresee the use very practical for our driving needs. Althought it would have been a nice feature, the implementation of the public chargers (and hopefully home chargers) will take time. The deal was great and we decided to buy the 1LT and paid for aftermarket leather instead. Car is super fun to drive and even more fun than my Volt. (yikes, did I just say that?)
Still waiting for EV charging infrastructure to develop in the Baltimore/Washington Metro area.I've used the DC fast charger on my Leaf exactly once. That once was convenient but I could have used the 240V charger next to it and waited another hour.
DC chargers are great, don't get me wrong, but there are so few of them that getting the DC charging option isn't a no-brainer.
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
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