2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Review and Road Test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ม.ค. 2014
- When GM said their new EV cranked out more torque than the standard Tesla Model S or a Ferrari 458 Italia, my interest was piqued. When they said their new EV was a front wheel drive car, I scratched my head. When they said it was none other than the Spark, aka the Daewoo Matiz Creative, I knew I needed to see what GM's first pure-electric vehicle since the ill-fated EV1 was all about.
The Spark EV starts its life in Changwon, South Korea where gasoline and electric sparks are built by GM Korea. The heart of the Spark however comes from America. GM is building the permanent magnet motors in Maryland and rather than using LG batteries made in Korea, like the Chevy Volt, American-made batteries courtesy of B456 (formerly A123). (No, I'm not kidding.) Instead of shipping cars sans drivetrain, GM ships batteries and drivetrain to Korea, then they ship the completed car back to the USA.
Why does the Spark EV exist? Because of my home state of California of course. The California Air Resources Board has mandated that Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, GM and Chrysler make a total of 7,500 zero emissions vehicles by 2014 and 25,000 by 2017. This just the start of the estimated 270,000 yearly production that will be required in 2025.
As with the gasoline version, the front seats are flat, firmly padded and offer little lumbar support. The hard plastics on the doors make for an uncomfortable place to rest your elbow but thankfully there is a padded armrest in the center for the driver only. This isn't unusual for compact cars, but electrification makes for strange bedfellows and the Leaf, Focus EV and Fiat 500e are direct competition that all offer more driver and passenger comfort.
Because of the Spark's narrow width the Chevy is a strict four-seater putting it on par with the 500e but one passenger behind the Fit, Leaf and Focus. It was surprisingly easy to put four tall adults in the Spark, a task that is more difficult in the considerably larger Focus because of its sloping roof-line. Still, passengers will be more comfortable in the Honda Fit which offers a bit more room for four, seating for five and more headroom all the way around. Despite the Leaf's rear seat numbers being average, because of the way the seating position in the Leaf most people will find the Nissan roomier.
As with most gas to EV conversions, the Spark loses a bit of cargo volume in the process dropping 2 cubes to 9.6 cubic feet of cargo space. That's slightly larger than the 500e but a long way from the Leaf's spacious 24 cubic foot booty. Unlike the Fiat 500e however, GM chose not encroach on passenger footwell space for battery storage.
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If you lease a Spark or a Fiat EV, you will not need an oil change or any other engine maintenance for the next three years. You will never need to buy gas. You will never need to stand in line at a gas station. And the cost of electricity will be a fraction of what you've been paying for gas.
It is 2021 and after owning this car for 2 years, I am sad to be selling it. Battery degradation has def set it and mine only gets about 65-70 on a full charge. It's was a fun little dip your toe into electrification experiment for me and I had a blast the entire time. This car can get into any parking space, maneuver where most cars can't, is deceivingly fast, and virtually no maintenance. Going to miss you Sparky!
It’s remarkable how far ev technology has come since this video was made. I enjoy your reviews!
This is surprisingly a little gem hidden in GM's portfolio that doesn't get as much exposure as the Volt & other GM products. Surprisingly, the Spark EV share a lot of similarities to the upcoming Bolt EV which looks about the same but this time is built off a EV-designed platform.
Love the Review's. Tons of info, Reviews not rushed
Great review Alex, you're the only guy who actually explains the technology and doesn't add to the misconceptions. I would love to see you drive the Mitsubishi Mirage, it's more of a curiosity to me and I like your balanced review.
Finally an in depth review on the Spark EV. Thank you (:
Enjoy your reviews. Very detailed and informative. You do a great job.
great review, very detailed; always enjoy viewing your videos
Disagree with you on the point about a electric vehicle being "dirtier" than a Prius given the source of power generation. Gas does not come out of the ground ready to go into your car, it actually takes about 4 KWh to refine each gallon of fuel. So, a gas powered car pollutes as it burns gas which polluted while it was being refined.
the 2015 is more efficient due to better gearing... 118 miles on a charge is easily obtainable.
Don't mind the grammar nazis Alex. You have the best car reviews on all of TH-cam at the moment and I've been watching TH-cam reviews a long time. Steve Hammes is great also but you have him beat, more in depth and more thorough reviews. Thanks!
Great review! Thank you!
Very nice video. Though I have already bought this car since the price met my needs. Very detailed and great information that even I didn't know... AND I OWN THE CAR! Excellent work!
I test drove one today. It was a fun drive.
...65 MILES TO WORK... 130 MILES ROUND TIP.. X5 DAYS=650 MILES PER WEEK .. X4 WEEKS=2,600 MILES A MO. X 12 MO. =31,200 A YEAR!
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Just got one of these as a second car, mostly for my kid to drive this summer. It's so much fun to drive, can't wait to make it my commuter in the fall
Alex! I love your videos! So intuitive, and you tell me all the lil things I want to know, and not just the things anyone can find in a brochure.
Actually, the brake light DOES come on when you lift off the gas and are in Low... Strangely enough the Volt does not...