Thanks for sharing your winter road trip! Beautiful scenery up there! Amazing how much cold weather affects the battery range. I'm in the market for a Spark EV. I'm finding some amazing deals on used Spark EV's online, but none in my area (midwest USA). Closest vehicles are in Phoenix (about 1200km away). Fortunately for me, I rarely see temps below 5c and my daily commute is only about 20km. I'm thinking a Spark EV would be ideal for my commuting distance and moderate temperatures.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. More to come. You’ll like the Spark EV, very peppy and fun to drive. In your climate you should really never see it below 65 miles range for the average. My wife’s commute each day is 40 (return) miles on the Hwy and it does that commute all year without a problem.
Wow, $15 month to commute to work! My place of work has 240V16A charging which is free for now during the first year of trials. With my short commute, I would only need to charge at work every few days. We do have 2 DC fast chargers in the metro, but that's for a city with 1.5 million residents!
I have a 2019 Bolt and it fits my lifestyle. My longest trip is to the Tulsa airport (110 miles one way) and it gets me there and back easily. I charge at home on 120 and the car let's you adjust it to take 8 or 12 amps. My tester shows no problem with my garage plug on 12 amps. Tesla's a more comfortable car but the Bolt allows you to keep a thicker wallet.
Thanks Bill great video I've tested the spark last fall for a couple of days, but the loaner I got the fast charge failed to work. That didn't put me off though, I still think it's a cool car! I was curious how much range it lost in the winter now I know. BTW I live up in Ste Agathe it was fun to watch a road trip on roads I'm so familiar with!
Peter Hi Peter, thank you! 3 weeks ago i was up in your area going to Tremblant to ski. I drove from Lachute to St Agathe for a fast charge, then on to Tremblant. The Fairmount in Tremblant has free valet parking and a charger for EV’s. They park it and charge it for you while you ski. With the charge I got there, I was able to make it all the way back to Lachute. It’s down hill so I was able to go father on a charge.
Hi Bill thanks for the reply, I believe there's a new fast charge point on montee Ryan on the way to tremblant at the tourist information office just off to the side of the traffic circle. Infrastructure is getting better all the time.
Hi Bill, I just picked up a 2015 Spark EV, I live up in the laurentians have you ever had charging issues at the st Sauveur fast charge station, I connect and get no signal light from the car and if I tap my card it tells me that the chademo is not connected. Rather strange since it's CCS but eventually it recognized it and I was able to charge after several tries, but on my second trip there no dice. Same problem I couldn't resolve the issue and I didn't have time to call e circuit.
Hi JP, the car is great. I have no issues really with it. It is more usable in the summer when you get the 120km of charge to get you around, but winter is tougher to do more than go to work no more than 70km round trip. You shouldn’t pay more than $9000 Canadian for one that has over 60000km on it. If you want a cheap, reliable commuter car for work and errands, this is the little car for you. But if you are planning to use it as your only ride, I would not recommend it unless you are a person who stays in your 60km radius of home. It’s super reliable and efficient. Costs me $27 a month to run it full time. And I push this little car to the limits often. We use it daily as a work commuter car and I run it to the cottage almost every weekend. We have 95,000km on ours.
How do you get your car to last so long? I have the same specs in my chev ev. My 10 mile commute uses half of my battery. I drive the speed limit I don’t accelerate too hard and I don’t break too hard
Hi G Man, Just to be clear, L does not stand for low. L allows one pedal driving. It creates greater regeneration when you lift off the accelerator pedal. It will almost bring the car to a stop. When I first got the car it was habit to always drive in L ( one pedal driving is fun), now I only use it in L in the city. On the highway the car gets better mileage in D because it can coast further when you let off the pedal. I have other videos that explain the different ways of driving and regen.
Hello Bill would it be possible for you to show the in car display while you are on a DCFC related to charging speed just to give us an idea what it's like? Also does the App for that DCFC give you charging status? Thanks in advance.
Hi Peter, i will do that. And yes the app does give you charging status. On a 400v 200a DCFC the longest its taken is about 20 min to charge to 80% from empty. That's an Electric Circuit charger, FLO chargers are slower and I rarely use them.
That's some serious range drop. It rarely goes below 0 and rarely ever snows here in Victoria, BC. I also don't travel on the highway much. I wonder what kind of range drop I would see. Hmmmm.
trueg001 Ya, gets freakin cold here in winter. Beautiful place to live, Victoria! You would probably get somewhere between 85 and 100km in winter there. If an inexpensive, fun, reliable, extremely efficient electric car is what you are looking for, I highly recommend the Spark EV with DC fast charge. We have thousands of them here in Quebec and everyone loves them. Only takes 20min to fast charge from zero to 80% and for the price and year they are the only EV with thermo management for the batteries. Very low battery degradation. Oh, did I mention they are super fast and fun lol
Hi Bill I just bought a 2015 spark EV and I noticed your check engine light was on at beginning of the video, mine has been throwing codes consistently when the temp hits -20 do you have a similar issue?
Hi Peter! Often the 12 volt battery is the reason these cars throw codes. They sit for long periods of time before sale and that drains the 12 volt. i would recommend replacing it, I did. the 12 volt runs all accessories for the car and if it is has low output you will get codes, it runs everything except the electric motor. i and many others get a code after DCFC charging, it goes away after a drive and an off cycle. if you have any strange behavior from the radio, climate control, door locks its all the 12 volt battery. Even charging the car is initiated from the 12 volt.
@@BillHolleyWRH Thanks for getting back to me, everything seems to be working OK, it'll throw a code tomorrow morning if I preheat twice while plugged in and Temps drop to -20. I have an obd2 reader and the most recent code is a bizarre one P1EC6 from what I've read it's related to the battery heater and might need replacing. If it throws a code tomorrow I'll check the voltage on the 12 volt battery and let you know. Thanks again!
Hi, I am glad to see your video about the Spark EV range, I'm in Montreal too. And I am planning to buy a used one, but the battery range is the most concern. I searched for the range, chevy says it will be 82 miles around (125 km), but why your EV only get 57 around ? Is the range going down by time (like a year) ? Does it will be better during the summer ? And why don't you go to the dealer to fix the heater problem ? Are you leasing the car or buying it ? Hope i make myself clear about the questions. Thank you !
Hi! the Spark Ev is a fun and very efficient EV, in fact one of the most efficient on the market. My 2014 Spark gets 125 km on average, 150 km max in the summer. The range depends on many factors. When the temperatures here in Montreal get below -10c and I do short trips with a lot of stop and go, the range drops to around 60 km (average) and uses about 29 kwh. When i do highway driving at the same temperature (-10c) the battery does better because it uses closer to 18 kwh during steady driving without stops and the range is more around 70 km average. This is normal for an EV battery in cold temperatures. The heater problem I had has only happened one time and I fixed it self with a restart of the car. i bought the car, no lease. Thank you for your question.
PVI: The Quebec Government will give a $4000 rebate off the price of a used Spark if you buy at a dealer. I bought mine from Lussier Chevrolet in St Hyacinth. Sales man is Louis St George. he has lots of Sparks that qualify for the rebate.
I'm as well in Montreal and very intrigued by this Spark EV. I know the $4000 rebate is only in models from 2014 and 2015 for the Spark EV and as Bill says it is when you buy it from a dealer.
montanvs the car is outside 99% of the winter. It is very typical of EVs to loose a lot of range in cold weather. Most are seeing similar drops in range in our climate. Even with preheating it’s just so cold here in winter.
Wow your range significantly decreased during the winter months. I would suggest putting a heater in your car on low so it saves the battery from discharging when trying to warming up during the night.
When you mentioned your cottage, I was thinking of something a bit more rustic.
Just saw this video as a suggested video, I dont have time to watch this now but will come back to watch it. Im very curious
TRY to HELP you thanks for stopping by!
Look for part 1.
TRY to HELP you I have a Chevy bolt it gets 238 mile range winter time I get at least 170 no worries about charging no anxiety
Thanks for sharing your winter road trip! Beautiful scenery up there! Amazing how much cold weather affects the battery range. I'm in the market for a Spark EV. I'm finding some amazing deals on used Spark EV's online, but none in my area (midwest USA). Closest vehicles are in Phoenix (about 1200km away). Fortunately for me, I rarely see temps below 5c and my daily commute is only about 20km. I'm thinking a Spark EV would be ideal for my commuting distance and moderate temperatures.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. More to come.
You’ll like the Spark EV, very peppy and fun to drive. In your climate you should really never see it below 65 miles range for the average.
My wife’s commute each day is 40 (return) miles on the Hwy and it does that commute all year without a problem.
Wow, $15 month to commute to work! My place of work has 240V16A charging which is free for now during the first year of trials. With my short commute, I would only need to charge at work every few days. We do have 2 DC fast chargers in the metro, but that's for a city with 1.5 million residents!
Where are the DC fast charging stations? I believe the new Independence Utilities building may have one, but not sure.
@@beforebefore PlugShare is a great source showing we're the fast chargers are.
I have a 2019 Bolt and it fits my lifestyle. My longest trip is to the Tulsa airport (110 miles one way) and it gets me there and back easily. I charge at home on 120 and the car let's you adjust it to take 8 or 12 amps. My tester shows no problem with my garage plug on 12 amps. Tesla's a more comfortable car but the Bolt allows you to keep a thicker wallet.
Hi Eddy,
Yes, we have a Bolt as well.
Thanks Bill great video I've tested the spark last fall for a couple of days, but the loaner I got the fast charge failed to work. That didn't put me off though, I still think it's a cool car! I was curious how much range it lost in the winter now I know. BTW I live up in Ste Agathe it was fun to watch a road trip on roads I'm so familiar with!
Peter Hi Peter, thank you!
3 weeks ago i was up in your area going to Tremblant to ski.
I drove from Lachute to St Agathe for a fast charge, then on to Tremblant. The Fairmount in Tremblant has free valet parking and a charger for EV’s. They park it and charge it for you while you ski. With the charge I got there, I was able to make it all the way back to Lachute. It’s down hill so I was able to go father on a charge.
Hi Bill thanks for the reply, I believe there's a new fast charge point on montee Ryan on the way to tremblant at the tourist information office just off to the side of the traffic circle. Infrastructure is getting better all the time.
Great video. Love A & W. Looks like you used almost 16kwh of 19kwh battery? I have the 2016 model and still trying to figure out those gauges.
6 years old with 100,000km on it and it’s at 15.6kwh. Not bad.
weather effects my fiat 500e range fully charged winter 69 miles...summer full charge 125 miles
gasdorfic muncher hi!
What year is your 500e?
What’s the winter temps?
average -20 night winter ...my fiat 500e is 2015 only 5000 mile on the od i got $180 payment a month .
does your local chevy dealer service your car ? whats that like ?
Yes. the car is under a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty from GM.
2015....... -5 degree tops this year
Hi Bill, I just picked up a 2015 Spark EV, I live up in the laurentians have you ever had charging issues at the st Sauveur fast charge station, I connect and get no signal light from the car and if I tap my card it tells me that the chademo is not connected. Rather strange since it's CCS but eventually it recognized it and I was able to charge after several tries, but on my second trip there no dice. Same problem I couldn't resolve the issue and I didn't have time to call e circuit.
Sparks can have issues with fast charging
Great little video. Overall do you recommend a spark EV?
Hi JP, the car is great. I have no issues really with it. It is more usable in the summer when you get the 120km of charge to get you around, but winter is tougher to do more than go to work no more than 70km round trip. You shouldn’t pay more than $9000 Canadian for one that has over 60000km on it. If you want a cheap, reliable commuter car for work and errands, this is the little car for you. But if you are planning to use it as your only ride, I would not recommend it unless you are a person who stays in your 60km radius of home. It’s super reliable and efficient. Costs me $27 a month to run it full time. And I push this little car to the limits often. We use it daily as a work commuter car and I run it to the cottage almost every weekend. We have 95,000km on ours.
How do you get your car to last so long? I have the same specs in my chev ev. My 10 mile commute uses half of my battery. I drive the speed limit I don’t accelerate too hard and I don’t break too hard
Hi, what is your cars reading as a full charge in miles?
Why is the car being driven in low and not drive?
Hi G Man,
Just to be clear, L does not stand for low. L allows one pedal driving. It creates greater regeneration when you lift off the accelerator pedal. It will almost bring the car to a stop.
When I first got the car it was habit to always drive in L ( one pedal driving is fun), now I only use it in L in the city. On the highway the car gets better mileage in D because it can coast further when you let off the pedal.
I have other videos that explain the different ways of driving and regen.
Holy shit, this guy has nerves of steel. Skipping a charger with only 30 miles left? I'd be topping that thing up at every opportunity.
Indeed 30 km is almost the same as driving to the end of the driveway
It looks inconvenient but on the other side like fun planning those trips
Hello Bill would it be possible for you to show the in car display while you are on a DCFC related to charging speed just to give us an idea what it's like? Also does the App for that DCFC give you charging status? Thanks in advance.
Hi Peter, i will do that. And yes the app does give you charging status. On a 400v 200a DCFC the longest its taken is about 20 min to charge to 80% from empty. That's an Electric Circuit charger, FLO chargers are slower and I rarely use them.
Bill Holley Thanks Bill I appreciate it!
That's some serious range drop. It rarely goes below 0 and rarely ever snows here in Victoria, BC. I also don't travel on the highway much. I wonder what kind of range drop I would see. Hmmmm.
trueg001 Ya, gets freakin cold here in winter. Beautiful place to live, Victoria! You would probably get somewhere between 85 and 100km in winter there.
If an inexpensive, fun, reliable, extremely efficient electric car is what you are looking for, I highly recommend the Spark EV with DC fast charge. We have thousands of them here in Quebec and everyone loves them. Only takes 20min to fast charge from zero to 80% and for the price and year they are the only EV with thermo management for the batteries. Very low battery degradation. Oh, did I mention they are super fast and fun lol
Heated seats instead of heated cabin so much can help and pre-heating while still connected also helps.
Hi Bill I just bought a 2015 spark EV and I noticed your check engine light was on at beginning of the video, mine has been throwing codes consistently when the temp hits -20 do you have a similar issue?
Hi Peter! Often the 12 volt battery is the reason these cars throw codes. They sit for long periods of time before sale and that drains the 12 volt. i would recommend replacing it, I did. the 12 volt runs all accessories for the car and if it is has low output you will get codes, it runs everything except the electric motor. i and many others get a code after DCFC charging, it goes away after a drive and an off cycle. if you have any strange behavior from the radio, climate control, door locks its all the 12 volt battery. Even charging the car is initiated from the 12 volt.
@@BillHolleyWRH Thanks for getting back to me, everything seems to be working OK, it'll throw a code tomorrow morning if I preheat twice while plugged in and Temps drop to -20. I have an obd2 reader and the most recent code is a bizarre one P1EC6 from what I've read it's related to the battery heater and might need replacing. If it throws a code tomorrow I'll check the voltage on the 12 volt battery and let you know. Thanks again!
Hi, I am glad to see your video about the Spark EV range, I'm in Montreal too. And I am planning to buy a used one, but the battery range is the most concern.
I searched for the range, chevy says it will be 82 miles around (125 km), but why your EV only get 57 around ? Is the range going down by time (like a year) ? Does it will be better during the summer ?
And why don't you go to the dealer to fix the heater problem ?
Are you leasing the car or buying it ?
Hope i make myself clear about the questions.
Thank you !
Hi! the Spark Ev is a fun and very efficient EV, in fact one of the most efficient on the market. My 2014 Spark gets 125 km on average, 150 km max in the summer. The range depends on many factors. When the temperatures here in Montreal get below -10c and I do short trips with a lot of stop and go, the range drops to around 60 km (average) and uses about 29 kwh. When i do highway driving at the same temperature (-10c) the battery does better because it uses closer to 18 kwh during steady driving without stops and the range is more around 70 km average. This is normal for an EV battery in cold temperatures.
The heater problem I had has only happened one time and I fixed it self with a restart of the car.
i bought the car, no lease.
Thank you for your question.
PVI: The Quebec Government will give a $4000 rebate off the price of a used Spark if you buy at a dealer. I bought mine from Lussier Chevrolet in St Hyacinth. Sales man is Louis St George. he has lots of Sparks that qualify for the rebate.
Hi, Thank you so much for your reply ! it really helps me !
I'm as well in Montreal and very intrigued by this Spark EV. I know the $4000 rebate is only in models from 2014 and 2015 for the Spark EV and as Bill says it is when you buy it from a dealer.
Do you have a garage? Why is the range so low in the winter? Besides the heat being used? Battery warming from being outside?
montanvs the car is outside 99% of the winter. It is very typical of EVs to loose a lot of range in cold weather. Most are seeing similar drops in range in our climate. Even with preheating it’s just so cold here in winter.
Bill Holley ya not having a garage does make it difficult. We have a Spark ev and the Kia Soul ev. But a garage and west coast mild winters 😃
Heating uses as much power as maintaining highway speeds if it is really cold outside.
Wow your range significantly decreased during the winter months. I would suggest putting a heater in your car on low so it saves the battery from discharging when trying to warming up during the night.
48kWh/100km - helldriver!!!!)))