Huh, 2014/2015 are the same battery size
Well, forget a 2015. I'm going for a 2014 unless...
You can change my mind...
Not crazy with the reduced freeway miles range. 10 miles!!! Thats just a stupid move. There is no reason they couldn't put the same size battery using the LG battery and since the LG is supposedly more efficient, then they would have gotten easily over 100 miles.
Instead, its less on the one thing that is hardest for EV's to do which is straight freeway range..
What the hell is GM thinking?
Not crazy with the reduced freeway miles range. 10 miles!!! Thats just a stupid move. There is no reason they couldn't put the same size battery using the LG battery and since the LG is supposedly more efficient, then they would have gotten easily over 100 miles.
Instead, its less on the one thing that is hardest for EV's to do which is straight freeway range..
What the hell is GM thinking?
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uh...no they arent...2014 is 21 2015 is 19
Not even close. For either.uh...no they arent...2014 is 21 2015 is 19
ok enlighten me.... We are talking about a Spark EV correct?
How fast are you needing to go and how far? Cylindrical cells from A123 can be built into a pack differently than LG cells. I suspect they used the older Volt cells rather than the new higher capacity cells in Volt Gen 2. With those cells, maybe more range. But the Spark EV is a compliance car and the real GM BEV will be the Bolt. The new spark pack is lighter but the cells need more SOC protection than the A123 cells which can be run to 100% and down to 10% without much problem. For a BEV, that is preferable. A pack needing to limit some of the SOC on the top and bottom needs to be larger in capacity than a LIFePO4 pack it replaces. Seems to be a stop gap measure pre-Bolt.
Volt vs Spark confusion aside...
The official ratings sure look identical to me.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=35120&id=33640
The official ratings sure look identical to me.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=35120&id=33640
Well, yes the range stayed the same, but HOW it gets that total amount is the story. The in town range is better but the highway mileage suffered. The changed the final drive ratio from something like 3.10:1 to 3:80:1
I can manage in town range fine with regen and using the B mode... Its the freeway that I need more range and there is less room to play with and manipulate the range on the freeway...
I can manage in town range fine with regen and using the B mode... Its the freeway that I need more range and there is less room to play with and manipulate the range on the freeway...
Just feel blessed that you can even buy a spark and find someone certified to service it. Folks outside of CA, OR, and MD are not so lucky. I think the rest of us need to wait for the bolt or some other vehicle.You can change my mind...
Not crazy with the reduced freeway miles range. 10 miles!!! Thats just a stupid move. There is no reason they couldn't put the same size battery using the LG battery and since the LG is supposedly more efficient, then they would have gotten easily over 100 miles.
Instead, its less on the one thing that is hardest for EV's to do which is straight freeway range..
What the hell is GM thinking?
You can change my mind...
Not crazy with the reduced freeway miles range. 10 miles!!! Thats just a stupid move. There is no reason they couldn't put the same size battery using the LG battery and since the LG is supposedly more efficient, then they would have gotten easily over 100 miles.
Instead, its less on the one thing that is hardest for EV's to do which is straight freeway range..
What the hell is GM thinking?
Can you explain exactly what you're talking about? Like, with facts and details?Well, yes the range stayed the same, but HOW it gets that total amount is the story. The in town range is better but the highway mileage suffered. The changed the final drive ratio from something like 3.10:1 to 3:80:1
I can manage in town range fine with regen and using the B mode... Its the freeway that I need more range and there is less room to play with and manipulate the range on the freeway...
Do you currently drive a 2015 Spark EV and are disappointed with the real-life performance vs a 2014 that you used to drive? Or are you just speculating that GM is lying about the range and efficiency numbers between the 2 model years?
Rants work better when people understand what you're ranting about.
2014 has an A123 battery.
2015 uses LG Chem. It's something like 80 pounds lighter.
Low gear ratio is something Honda does on their manual transmissions that really pees off hypermilers.
2015 uses LG Chem. It's something like 80 pounds lighter.
Low gear ratio is something Honda does on their manual transmissions that really pees off hypermilers.
Exactly...What GM is up to I have no idea.. WHY would you put a DC fast combo charger that virtually no one else in the states uses?
Why would you LOWER a range and get less miles in the area that needs all the advantage it can get? ( ie.. the freeway?)
My best guess is that GM changed to LG to save money. When it was found out that they would not be able to fit as many cells in the current Spark EV platform, they compromised by changing the gear ratio so that the offset would not be as great.
I think that GM better start thinking a little clearer... If the BOLT comes out with the DC fast combo charger and or 3.3KWH charging or even the 7.2 then they are seriously not thinking like they should. The BOLT should come with a CHadeMO and 9.9kwh or higher. It should have the most advanced charging capabilities and battery tech available. Anything less is a poor excuse.
Why would you LOWER a range and get less miles in the area that needs all the advantage it can get? ( ie.. the freeway?)
My best guess is that GM changed to LG to save money. When it was found out that they would not be able to fit as many cells in the current Spark EV platform, they compromised by changing the gear ratio so that the offset would not be as great.
I think that GM better start thinking a little clearer... If the BOLT comes out with the DC fast combo charger and or 3.3KWH charging or even the 7.2 then they are seriously not thinking like they should. The BOLT should come with a CHadeMO and 9.9kwh or higher. It should have the most advanced charging capabilities and battery tech available. Anything less is a poor excuse.
Still not sure what you're talking about.Why would you LOWER a range and get less miles in the area that needs all the advantage it can get? ( ie.. the freeway?)
I posted a link showing the 2015 and 2014 with identical ranges, city efficiencies, and highway efficiencies.
Here it is again: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=35120&id=33640
So, what then? You're saying GM is lying about their efficiency ratings?
Excuse me? I use one of 13 DCFC units once or twice a weekend with my 2014 Spark EV.Exactly...What GM is up to I have no idea.. WHY would you put a DC fast combo charger that virtually no one else in the states uses?
Kansas City is the friendliest EV city maybe anywhere.
These DCFC units have a cord for Chademo and CCS. And all are free along with the >1000 L2's in the metro area.
The range of the '14 and '15 remains the same because they use more of the capacity of the smaller pack on the '15.
"GM is up to" planning for the future of mid to long range BEV's. The same as BMW and VW.
CCS is out of the bag. It's the new standard. Get used to it. Who needs a large charge door and two separate connectors?
Life is good for me with 3.3kW charging at work and home and DCFC when out and about, as needed.
And 10kW home charging is not realistic for some homes. Ever heard of a 100A Main Breaker?
Well, arent you special... Where did you get your Spark EV? Most likely CA... where the vast VAST majority of all Spark EV's now and in the future will be sold. We have virtually NO DCFC units. As far as the range goes, TOTAL range as per EPA might be the same... but the reality is that if you drive a lot of highway, it will go down.. Its not the size, its how you use it..
What is this "B Mode" that you speak of? I have a 2015 Spark EV, and not sure what this mode is.Well, yes the range stayed the same, but HOW it gets that total amount is the story. The in town range is better but the highway mileage suffered. The changed the final drive ratio from something like 3.10:1 to 3:80:1
I can manage in town range fine with regen and using the B mode... Its the freeway that I need more range and there is less room to play with and manipulate the range on the freeway...
B Mode is the one below the D on the shift selector. It increased the regen that happens when you let your foot off the brake... be careful because it also slows the car down pretty quickly.
Oh, I use that mode all the time. It's "L". Why do you refer to it as "B"?B Mode is the one below the D on the shift selector. It increased the regen that happens when you let your foot off the brake... be careful because it also slows the car down pretty quickly.
I want buttons labelled A thru G like speed racer's Mach 5, the most technologically advanced car in the world.Oh, I use that mode all the time. It's "L". Why do you refer to it as "B"?
http://youtu.be/43rxThjYWsE
Because Im an idiot and was looking at a Prius when I was typing that.... It is indeed an L.... like the one I am holding up against my forehead right now... lolOh, I use that mode all the time. It's "L". Why do you refer to it as "B"?
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