2014 GM Spark EV

[gone-ot]

Here's some GM information on the 2014 GM Spark EV:

• All Electric All the Time – The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV

• http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=2073

• http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=2079

...wow, definitely NOT very fast re-charging on 120VAC!

...and, what the heck is the dumb idea of using two different tire sizes(?)...unless(!) that's the 'new' secret to better efficiency (narrow front, wide load rear).

[Jyden]

Interesting links - thanks. Complicated piece of machinery. Wonder why it has to be TAT complicated?

[P-hack]

So when GM says it is an "EV", do they mean it has a gas engine?

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by P-hack

So when GM says it is an "EV", do they mean it has a gas engine?

Quote from first paragraph: "The Spark EV does not have a gasoline engine or a gasoline fuel system."

[P-hack]

Diesel? Fueled by kittens? Note I don't read their stuff because they are full of crap.

[Frank Lee]

GM has used different fr/rr tire sizes before, IIRC it was a performance fwd Bonneville that had wider wheels and tires on the front.

Acura NSX has different wheel and tire diameters and widths front and rear.

That said, you have to wonder if a 10mm width difference really matters enough to spec that.

Not that it would matter to me; I stopped rotating my tires decades ago and haven't seen any ill effects.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...wow, definitely NOT very fast re-charging on 120VAC!

4 miles for every hour plugged in, that is the annoying thing about how they present that info, if you are charging from 120v it doesn't take 20 hours unless you drove the full 82 mile range! if you drove half the range it takes 10 hours, if you drove 20 miles it will take 5 hours!

It's pretty clear that it's based off a gasoline vehicle and that they are trying to keep costs down, the transmission I assume is there to allow for a smaller electric motor and to help increase range but I see it being a weak point.
having an ignition like slot for a key by not having it rotate is just weird! the Mitsubishi i-MiEV has a key and you turn it like you are starting an engine to power up the drive electronics, it's what people are used to and it's a smooth action.

[Frank Lee]

^Good points; I thought of them but did not comment...

Re: transmission: I like their layout, it looks quite compact and efficient to me. The one driveshaft passing through the motor looks like a clever solution to achieve the most direct power transmission path possible with a transmission. I believe that EVs need transmissions for best efficiency too.

Re: key not turning: I read that and thought they are going to need a special heavy-duty key and lock because otherwise a lot of keys are going to get twisted off!

[P-hack]

would like to see some specs on the transmission, it is a little befuddling to see cog gears differential attached to a planetary gear, when planetary gears make for a fine differential. They are doing something funky there.

[Frank Lee]

The planetary and the diff gears have separate functions here.