Tag Archives: ev

The New Chevrolet Spark is Pure Electric Fun

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The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, unveiled at the 2012 Los Angles Auto Show, gives EV drivers the high tech infotainment they want - and need - to get the most out of their EV experience.

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, unveiled at the 2012 Los Angles Auto Show, gives EV drivers the high tech infotainment they want - and need - to get the most out of their EV experience.

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV packs smart performance and connectivity technologies into an affordable five-door urban mini car designed to make the trip as electrifying as the destination. Competitively priced under $25,000 with tax incentives, Spark EV is offered in bright colors including Electric Blue, Black Granite, Summit White, Silver Ice and Titanium. The interior features a combination of bright accents in Electric Blue and chrome.

Spark EV will go on sale next summer in select markets and is expected to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability. The battery system is designed to be safe, durable and reliable, and is warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles. The battery will also enable the Spark EV to reach 80-percent battery charge in just 20 minutes. Owners can coordinate charging according to departure time or during off-peak electricity rates. They can also manage and monitor the vehicle remotely via computer at OnStar.com or with a special Chevrolet Mobile App powered by OnStar Remote Link. The Spark EV comes with three years of standard OnStar service.

Expected to have among the best range in segment, the Spark EV also has 400 lb-ft of torque and can charge up to 80% in 20 minutes with optional SAE Combo fast charger. Aerodynamic treatments throughout the exterior enhance Spark EV's range.

“When you engineer a technology-filled, all-electric mini car that goes from zero-to-60 mph in less than eight seconds, customers won’t miss the gas,” said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. “The Volt and now the Spark EV show that Chevrolet not only knows EVs better than anyone else, we also know how to help customers get the most out of their EV experience.”

Inside the Spark EV, critical vehicle functions are clearly and intuitively displayed on one of the vehicle’s two reconfigurable, high-resolution, seven-inch color LCD screens, including a confidence gauge that shows the expected driving range based on driving habits and other conditions.

Spark EV also will keep urban drivers musically connected with Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink radio which comes standard and safely brings smartphone-based infotainment – including apps for BringGo full-function navigation, TuneIn global internet radio, Pandora and Stitcher – into the vehicle.

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, unveiled at the 2012 Los Angles Auto Show, gives EV drivers the high tech infotainment they want- and need- to get the most out of their EV experience. With two reconfigurable, HD, seven inch color LCD screens, the Spark EV features a customizable interface with confidence gauge. Spark EV also has Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink radio which brings smartphone-based infotainment – including apps for BringGo full-function navigation, Siri voice recognition, TuneIn global internet

In addition to previously announced markets including California and South Korea, Spark EV will also go on sale in participating dealerships throughout Oregon, Canada and other global markets. Spark EV will be eligible for coveted high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in California.

Chevrolet Volt Owners Get Plugged-In

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Chevrolet Volt owners from across United States today gathered at nine Chevrolet dealerships to celebrate going electric.

Chevrolet Marketing Manager John Hughes (right), talks with Chevrolet Volt owners Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Capitol Chevrolet in San Jose, California.

During the event, Chevrolet hosted an online live-broadcast where the Volt’s chief engineer, Andrew Farah, answered owner questions and discussed topics ranging from the electrification of the Volt to the future of the electric vehicles.

Chevrolet Volt Marketing Director Cristi Landy addresses the gathering Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Serra Chevrolet in Southfield, Michigan.

“Our Volt owners are our best brand ambassadors, and we wanted provide them the unique opportunity to interact with and have their questions answered by Andrew Farah, the Volt chief engineer,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet small cars marketing director. “With our Volt owners having driven approximately 80 million miles, National Plug in Day was the perfect time to say ‘thank you’ for their support.”

Participating dealerships include:

 

  • Capitol      Chevrolet – San Jose, Calif.
  • Capitol      Chevrolet – Austin, Texas
  • Ferman      Chevrolet – Tampa, Fla.
  • Harry      Criswell Chevrolet – Gaithersburg, Md.
  • Hendrick      Chevrolet – Cary, N.C.
  • Jimmie      Johnson Chevrolet – San Diego, Calif.
  • Keyes      Chevrolet – Los Angeles
  • Phillips      Chevrolet – Frankfort, IL
  • Serra Chevrolet      – Southfield, MI

 

National Plug in Day, on September 23, was created to bring attention to the environmental, economic and other benefits of plug-in electric vehicles.

For the first 38 miles, the Volt can drive gas and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank. Volt owners have travelled more than 65 million miles since the vehicle launched late 2010. Roughly two-thirds of those miles were powered by grid electricity.

Chevrolet Volt owner Luke Downs (l to r) talks with Capitol Chevrolet Volt Technician Dale Collins and Capitol Chevrolet's Roger Pillow Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Capitol Chevrolet in Austin, Texas

Volt Owners Saving Money

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Let’s face it, no one likes to drop $50, $60 (or, in some cases, even more) at the gas pump every week. If you have a long commute to work, it may even be several times a week. However, some people are learning what it means to cut their tether at gas stations with the Chevrolet Volt. For example:
•    Kory LeVoy, a manufacturing manager from Yorba Linda, CA, is one such person. Since owning his Volt for about six months, LeVoy has driven approximately 7,500 miles and has filled up only three times. He estimates he’s charging his Volt on less than a dollar a day and could save close to $2,000 a year in gasoline.
•    Carey Bailey, an electrical engineer from Cottage Grove, OR, used to spend about $500 a month for gasoline for his 75-mile round trip commute. Since purchasing his Volt in January, Bailey has cut that to about $100 a month and expects it to drop further.
It costs about $1.50 each day to charge the Chevrolet Volt, although that cost may vary due to local utility rates and the time of the day the Volt is charged. You may recall from this story that some Volt owners are reporting going 1000 miles between fill-ups. Check out the video of LeVoy below to hear what he has to say about his Volt.

This article was originally posted on the Voltage blog here: http://bit.ly/pLmVS4

Let’s face it, no one likes to drop $50, $60 (or, in some cases, even more) at the gas pump every week. If you have a long commute to work, it may even be several times a week. However, some people are learning what it means to cut their tether at gas stations with the Chevrolet Volt. For example:

  • Kory LeVoy, a manufacturing manager from Yorba Linda, CA, is one such person. Since owning his Volt for about six months, LeVoy has driven approximately 7,500 miles and has filled up only three times. He estimates he’s charging his Volt on less than a dollar a day and could save close to $2,000 a year in gasoline.
  • Carey Bailey, an electrical engineer from Cottage Grove, OR, used to spend about $500 a month for gasoline for his 75-mile round trip commute. Since purchasing his Volt in January, Bailey has cut that to about $100 a month and expects it to drop further.

It costs about $1.50 each day to charge the Chevrolet Volt, although that cost may vary due to local utility rates and the time of the day the Volt is charged. You may recall from this story that some Volt owners are reporting going 1000 miles between fill-ups. Check out the video of LeVoy below to hear what he has to say about his Volt.

Chevy Volt Owner Testimonials | Kory LeVoy

Note: The 2011 Chevy Volt has an EPA-estimated 35 miles on a single charge; EPA-est. 93 MPGe [electric]; 35 city, 40 MPG hwy [gas]. Actual range varies with conditions.

A Revolutionary Time for Our Industry

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Editor’s Note: This story from Jon Lauckner, GM Ventures president, was originally posted on the Voltage blog: http://bit.ly/mFCkSx. Jon was recently honored at the Automotive News’ “Electrifying 100” event earlier this month. In his Voltage post, Jon explains how far GM has come since the announcement of the Volt and what’s next to come. 

Last night, I had the honor of being recognized as one of the “Electrifying 100” by Automotive News. It was a great privilege to be included with so many others who have made vehicle electrification a reality.

When I was thinking about what I would like to say at the event, I reflected on the last few years in our industry and realized just how far we’ve come with electric vehicles. Five years ago, very few companies were even planning to build an electric vehicle. Now, nearly every manufacturer either has one on the road or is planning one.

In our case, the Chevrolet Volt represents what’s possible for electric vehicles. Four years ago, we had the idea to create an electric vehicle that was fun to drive, easy to operate and practical to own. When people said it couldn’t happen because the battery technology wasn’t advanced enough, we accepted that challenge head-on and produced an award-winning electric vehicle with extended-range capability. The Volt evolved from being a proof point of what was possible to a starting point for the emergence of new electric vehicle technologies that few thought was possible just a few short years ago.

This shift to electric vehicles is creating new sectors in the automotive industry – everything from battery developers to charging manufacturers. For proof, look no further than General Motors. In the last few years, besides bringing the Volt to market, GM has:

  • Established the largest OEM battery lab in the United States
  • Hired 1,000 new engineers and researchers
  • Invested more than $800 million in electrification technology in Michigan (for more, see this post from last week)

The story doesn’t end there – in fact, it’s just beginning. Last year GM Ventures was formed to help discover and invest in innovative auto-related technologies, including next-generation propulsion systems. The technologies we uncover today will be in the GM vehicles tomorrow. Not only will our customers have access to the best technology, but we can help nurture these innovations and deliver them to a global industry.

We have the unique opportunity to create a new kind of automobile – one that uses an electric propulsion system, electricity instead of petroleum and connected smart-grid technologies. We can achieve great things and make electric vehicles a driving force in our world.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.