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Chevy throws down the gauntlet $27,495 for Spark EV (Less than $20K after tax-credit)

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chevy-spark-ev-628.jpg


It is not a sexy car. But if you want a relatively cheap commuter car that costs next to nothing to drive, Chevy has cut the price of their Spark EV to $27,495. After the $7500 tax-credit, it is effectively $19,995. And there is a $2500 incentive in California such that it is effectively only $17,495.

I suspect the other car-makers are thinking "I'm not going to pay that fucking Elon Musk and Tesla thousands to buy ZEV credits!" so they are slashing the prices on their own EVs just to get some ZEV credits. Well, one of Elon's goals was to make EVs widespread . . . he is accomplishing it indirectly.

GM Press Release said:
DETROIT. – Chevrolet announced today a low mileage lease on the new 2014 Spark EV 1LT for as low as $199 per month* for 36 months, with $999 due at lease signing including security deposit (tax, title, license dealer fees extra), making the vehicle one of the most affordable EVs on the market.

Spark EV's Manufactures' Suggested Retail Price starts at $27,495 – as low as $19,995 net of the full federal tax credit which ranges from $0 to $7,500 – and includes $810 destination freight charge.

Depending on their tax situation, California Spark EV owners may also qualify for other state and local tax credits and incentives ranging from $0 to $2,500, potentially reducing the price to $17,495. Spark EV owners in California are also eligible for High-Occupancy Vehicle, or carpool lane, access.

Compared to the average new gas-powered vehicle, the Spark EV can save drivers, on average, about $150 per month in fuel costs based on EPA assessments**.

The Spark EV will be available at select Chevrolet dealers throughout California and Oregon beginning mid-June 2013.

"The Chevrolet Spark EV is the most efficient – and now one of the most affordable - EVs you can buy" said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. "Combined with outstanding infotainment and great design, the fun-to-drive Spark EV is engineered to impress."

The Spark EV features a combined city/highway EPA estimated range of 82 miles when fully charged and an EPA-estimated combined city/highway 119 MPGe fuel economy equivalent. The vehicle's 21 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will continue Chevrolet's tradition of offering outstanding limited warranty protection – eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Spark EV will be the first vehicle on the market to offer as an available option compatibility with the recently approved SAE combo charger for DC Fast Charging. The capability, available shortly after launch, will enable the Spark EV to recharge up to 80 percent of its capacity in approximately 20 minutes at select DC Fast Charging stations when they become available. Unlike most competitors, the Spark EV's battery system is capable of handling multiple compatible DC Fast Charges daily. Charging can also be completed in less than seven hours using a dedicated 240V charge. A 120V charge cord set comes standard. Charging can be managed and monitored remotely using the Spark EV's smart phone application, provided by OnStar, which is standard for three years.

Connectivity to Enhance Efficiency

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will offer several forms of in-vehicle connectivity, including the MyLink infotainment system that includes a seven-inch touch screen and integration with third-party apps and features such as Siri Eyes Free, Pandora and BringGo navigation. These features require the user to purchase third party apps separately on a compatible smart phone. See Chevrolet.com/MyLink for more details. The Spark EV RemoteLink application is designed to enhance the overall ownership experience with fingertip interaction and control. The application, which requires compatible smart phone and active OnStar subscription:

• displays charge status – plugged in or not, and voltage
• provides flexibility to "Charge Now" or schedule charge timing
• displays percentage of battery charge level and total range
• allows manual setting of grid-friendly charge mode for off-peak times when electricity rates are lowest
• sends text or email for charge reminders, charge interruptions and full-charge notification
• displays miles and odometer readings
• remotely starts the vehicle to pre-condition interior temperature
• requires compatible smart phone and active OnStar subscription

Because the Spark EV operates only on electricity, drivers will need to know if they can reach their destination on a single charge. The Spark EV Waypoint tab, which is integrated into the RemoteLink app, can quickly plot a waypoint route with recommended charging stations if the route is beyond the vehicle's remaining range.

The Spark EV comes with three years of OnStar Directions and Connections service, which includes Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation.

Chevrolet will also provide customer assistance via a Spark EV advisor. Dealers will provide on-site dedicated Spark EV service and sales experts. To be among the first to purchase a Spark EV, customers can visit their nearest participating Chevrolet Spark EV dealer. A Spark EV dealer locator is available on www.chevy.com/sparkev.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

*Lease example based on survey. Each dealer sets its own price. Your payments may vary. Payments are for a 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV with an MSRP of $ $27,495. 36 monthly payments total $7159.68 . Option to purchase at lease end for an amount to be determined at lease signing. Ally must approve lease. Take delivery by 07/01/2013. Mileage charge of $.25/mile over 12,000 miles. Lessee pays for excess wear. Payments may be higher in some states. Not available with some other offers. Residency restrictions apply.

**Savings of $150 per month based on 23 MPG HWY for an average vehicle and $0.12 per kW-hrs electricity cost. Visit fueleconomy.gov for details.
 

Oblivion

Fetishing muscular manly men in skintight hosery
I gotta say, while I fully support the idea of electric cars, the industry really has to start making cars that you wouldn't be embarrassed to drive.
 
I gotta say, while I fully support the idea of electric cars, the industry really has to start making cars that you wouldn't be embarrassed to drive.

Tesla aside, the Fiat 500e is pretty good looking. Assuming you like the 500 to begin with. Soon to be released but California only.

001-2013-fiat-500e628opt.jpg
 
It looks like a Yaris; A $20,000 Yaris.

And that's why all of their efforts are laughable. They are trying to make electric cars out of that low price point instead of a good product. The regular Spark sucks too.


Man, if Chevy can do the Stingray Corvette, they can design a kickass electric car.
 

Al-ibn Kermit

Junior Member
Maybe it's because I'm still closer to 20 than 30 but I wouldn't have a problem with how the car looks. It looks like your typical ugly car, I'd be proud of that shit.

80 miles/day isn't bad either, it's basically Nissan Leaf range. I wonder how the next generation of batteries a decade from now will perform.
 
Tesla aside, the Fiat 500e is pretty good looking. Assuming you like the 500 to begin with. Soon to be released but California only.

001-2013-fiat-500e628opt.jpg

Yes, the Fiat 500e has captured some of that Mini-Cooper Mojo and become quite popular. The Fiat 500e should sell pretty well. It will cost a little more though . . . they are asking $32,500 for it. But you can get a $199/month lease.
http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/fiat-500e-$32,500-lease-$199-month/



As I mentioned, the Spark EV is not sexy. It is a Korean Econobox. But the guts are pretty good . . . nice A123 batteries and motor with a lot of torque such that it should accelerate pretty fast. It is much better than the gas version of the Spark.
 
Yes, the Fiat 500e has captured some of that Mini-Cooper Mojo and become quite popular. The Fiat 500e should sell pretty well. It will cost a little more though . . . they are asking $32,500 for it. But you can get a $199/month lease.
http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/fiat-500e-$32,500-lease-$199-month/



As I mentioned, the Spark EV is not sexy. It is a Korean Econobox. But the guts are pretty good . . . nice A123 batteries and motor with a lot of torque such that it should accelerate pretty fast. It is much better than the gas version of the Spark.

And they are going to sell all ten of them. Woop de do.
GM is introducing a high-end electrified car . . . the Cadillac ELR based on the Voltec drivetrain.

000-2014-cadillac-elr-opt.jpg

Now that's much better. Hopefully, this is like most modern Caddy's and be a good car. The Volt wasn't good, again not because it's an electric but (fumbling PR problems aside), it just wasn't a good car.
 

TransTrender

Gold Member
Average of $0.12 per kW-hrs electricity cost.
Good luck with that.

The lowest baseline in my area is $0.12 per kW-hrs and you go through that really quick.
Jumps to $0.27per kW-hrs soon after that.
 

GusBus

Member
Not everyone looks at a car as a fashion statement. As a means of reliable, energy efficient, and low cost transportation, this is a big win in my book. The more electric cars the better. The styling can (will) come later.

EDIT:
epacert.jpg
 

strata8

Member
Average of $0.12 per kW-hrs electricity cost.
Good luck with that.

The lowest baseline in my area is $0.12 per kW-hrs and you go through that really quick.
Jumps to $0.27per kW-hrs soon after that.

You should be on a time of use plan instead of tiered. Requires more management on your end but ends up cheaper in the long run. I think in some parts of America the overnight (off peak) cost is around $0.01/kWh.
 
And they are going to sell all ten of them. Woop de do.
You'd be surprised how fast the EVs are selling out here. These car cost less than $50/month to fuel, lots of employers are providing so you might even get free electricity, you get $10K in incentives, no oil changes, no smog checks, and . . . you get to use the carpool lane.

And best of all . . . put PV panels on your roof and you can lock in your fuel costs for the next 25+ years. You try doing that with any other type of car.
 

sarcastor

Member
nissan-leaf_lo_630.jpg


much prettier. It's no Tesla, but at least it's not a 1997 Diahatsu like the Spark.

gal_lg4.jpg


The Honda Fit EV is also a possiblility.
 
Average of $0.12 per kW-hrs electricity cost.
Good luck with that.

The lowest baseline in my area is $0.12 per kW-hrs and you go through that really quick.
Jumps to $0.27per kW-hrs soon after that.

Meh. Replace your lights with CFLs or LEDs. Put your entertainment center on a powerstrip that you turn off. Turn stuff off when you leave the house. And you can lower your bill a lot. Your average amount should be pretty reasonable.

But there are other things you can do:
1) Get a time-of-use plan and charge at night.
2) Get a separate meter for EV.
3) Throw some PV panels on your roof and grow your own.
 
You'd be surprised how fast the EVs are selling out here. These car cost less than $50/month to fuel, lots of employers are providing so you might even get free electricity, you get $10K in incentives, no oil changes, no smog checks, and . . . you get to use the carpool lane.

And best of all . . . put PV panels on your roof and you can lock in your fuel costs for the next 25+ years. You try doing that with any other type of car.

My next car is going to be an RX8 (wish they made the hydrogen version more available)..... :p

but, yeah they are selling in CA. I wouldn't mind having one for commuting, or an electric motorcycle that doesn't suck.


The point is they are not doing themselves any good by converting crappy econoboxes as electric cars. The Fit might do well, but that's a good car already.
Or if Mazda does an electric 3. I trust them to get driving dynamics down.
 

Peru

Member
Are they trying to embarrass you for buying a cheap electric car? 'Cuz that's Pontiac Aztek levels of ugly.

Really? Maybe it's because you guys are American but I think that car looks like half the cars I see on the street in European countries. Standard-looking.
 
Really? Maybe it's because you guys are American but I think that car looks like half the cars I see on the street in European countries. Standard-looking.
That is exactly it. People here want big. We were spoiled by decades of $2/gallon gasoline and it has made us expect to drive beasts. If we had been wise, we would have had a higher gas tax like Europe, Japan, Korean, etc. to force us to be more efficient.
 
That is exactly it. People here want big. We were spoiled by decades of $2/gallon gasoline and it has made us expect to drive beasts. If we had been wise, we would have had a higher gas tax like Europe, Japan, Korean, etc. to force us to be more efficient.

I would argue weight limits on cars would work a hell of a lot better. 4,000lbs is like an average weight. That's insane.
 

Kevtones

Member
I bought a 2013 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Hatchback this month and have been getting roughly 34 mpg between everything.


Fucking love it.
 
I would argue weight limits on cars would work a hell of a lot better. 4,000lbs is like an average weight. That's insane.

Yeah but that is so arbitrary. And banning stuff is just too nanny-state . . . so tax it and increase the pain. If someone really wants to waste fuel then they can . . . but they'll pay for it. The gas tax does work on weight indirectly . . . that is why all those European cars are so small . . . less weight = less fuel usage. That and aerodynamics if you drive fast. That is one of my complaints with many of these EVs . . . I don't care that they are ugly, I just wish they had good aerodynamics. Tesla fixed that too.
 

strata8

Member
That is exactly it. People here want big. We were spoiled by decades of $2/gallon gasoline and it has made us expect to drive beasts. If we had been wise, we would have had a higher gas tax like Europe, Japan, Korean, etc. to force us to be more efficient.

There are plenty of hatchbacks out there that don't look like convoluted messes. Saying "but it's a small car!" doesn't excuse its poor styling.

Toyota Yaris
640px-2012_Toyota_Yaris_LE_five-door_--_03-16-2012.JPG


Opel Astra
640px-Opel_Astra_front_20080306.jpg


Volkswagen Golf
640px-VW_Golf_1.6_TDI_BlueMotion_Technology_Comfortline_%28VII%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_31._Dezember_2012%2C_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg


Hyundai i30
640px-Hyundaii30wagon2012.jpg


Honda Fit
640px-2010_Honda_Fit_Sport_--_09-03-2010.jpg
 
Yeah but that is so arbitrary. And banning stuff is just too nanny-state . . . so tax it and increase the pain. If someone really wants to waste fuel then they can . . . but they'll pay for it. The gas tax does work on weight indirectly . . . that is why all those European cars are so small . . . less weight = less fuel usage. That and aerodynamics if you drive fast. That is one of my complaints with many of these EVs . . . I don't care that they are ugly, I just wish they had good aerodynamics. Tesla fixed that too.

Gas taxes just seem too consumer punishing, especially like in LA. My mom is self employed and has to drive around 80 or so miles per day. would love to get an electric car or hybrid, but I'm too poor right now. Weight limits or taxes would seem to levy it on the manufacturer and not so arbitray if you do by class. Like say sedans have a limit of 3,900... sports cars 3,200 etc.
 

pigeon

Banned
On the one hand, this car is ugly. On the other hand, that's a really, really good price.

82 miles on one charge is pretty solid, too.

Man, I dunno. I almost want to get one, but I feel like waiting is still the right choice for an EV. This is really close though.
 
There are plenty of hatchbacks out there that don't look like convoluted messes. Saying "but it's a small car!" doesn't excuse its poor styling.

Honda Fit
640px-2010_Honda_Fit_Sport_--_09-03-2010.jpg

As shown above, you can get the Honda Fit in the EV form. An e-Golf from VW is supposed to come out in 2014.

And the Leaf looks as good as those . . . the Fiat 500e looks better than those, IMHO, but I like that mini-car thing.

The Spark EV is a bit of a kludge conversion compliance car. GM just took the smallest econobox they had and stuffed it with batteries to rack up some ZEV credits. This is a Daewoo Matiz car from Korea rebranded as a Chevy Spark. Hopefully they are working on better things behind the scenes.

I'd love it if they made this Renault Zoe convertible though. I'd buy that immediately.

Zoe-Cabriolet-550x316.jpg
 
I'd be more interested if it had a range of at least 120 miles instead of 82. I'm sure it's just a matter of time.
Yeah, the current crop of 70 to 80 mile EVs are early adopter material. To get wider acceptance, I think EVs need to get to 100+miles range. But when you start going above 120 miles or so they start getting so expensive that only the wealthy will be able to afford them. It is tough to find the 'sweet spot' of a car with a range long enough to be very useful but short enough so that it is not too expensive.
 

toxicgonzo

Taxes?! Isn't this the line for Metallica?
The bottom line whether you think it's ugly or not is that competition is good. Let the other auto manufacturers be scared when they see an affordable ev eat up their market share. It'll drive (no pun intended) innovation.
 
That's still too expensive. The auto industry should work on perfecting hybrids before they move on to electric cars. Once we get a hybrid truck with 150+ horsepower and a hemi, then we can move on to pure electric cars.
 
Rav 4 EV with Tesla drivetrain
Autoblog loved it
0-60mph in 7 seconds. That's pretty damn good in that crossover segment.

Yeah, that is a nice vehicle. And the word is that people were not buying them at the $50K asking price. So around $10K has been slash off them in many deals and people have got them for $32.5K after the $7500 tax-credit. That is a very functional EV since it has a range of over a 100 miles!
 
That's still too expensive. The auto industry should work on perfecting hybrids before they move on to electric cars. Once we get a hybrid truck with 150+ horsepower and a hemi, then we can move on to pure electric cars.

No. Do both at the same time. There are markets for both pure electrics and PHEVs.

And it would be trivial to build a PHEV pick-up. It would be expensive though since you'd need a lot of batteries to get any kind of electric range. But I think there is a market for it that many don't recognize. The fact that it has a PHEV drive train means that it has a powerful generator that could be used to power up tools on a job site with no power.
 

Kangi

Member
If it's cheap to drive, affordable, and gets me from point A to point B safely and reliably, I don't care about anything else.
 
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