Automotive
Although the Chevrolet Spark did not achieve the expected success in Europe, General Motors decided to market it in the United States, where the brand enjoys greater recognition. Interestingly, an electric version of the vehicle was also developed.
The third generation of the Chevrolet Spark made its debut in 2009, but it was not until 2012 that GM unveiled the EV variant at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The electric model shared the same exterior styling as its gasoline counterpart, albeit with a modified grille design due to the absence of a traditional internal combustion engine radiator. Notably, the Spark EV marked GM’s return to electric vehicle production following the discontinuation of the EV1 in 1999.
Inside, the Spark EV maintained the straightforward design of its gasoline sibling while introducing a new instrument panel featuring a 7-inch TFT color display. The center console housed an additional screen for the infotainment system.
Powering the vehicle was a 140 horsepower electric motor paired with a 21.3 kWh battery pack mounted at the rear. To accommodate the increased weight, the Spark was equipped with disc brakes at all four corners and strengthened suspension. An active shutter grille was integrated into the lower front bumper for cooling purposes. Following updates in 2014, the battery was replaced with a 19 kWh unit supplied by LG Chem, maintaining the same range of 132 kilometers (82 miles), although the motor’s output was reduced to 130 horsepower.
