Chevy Spark EV
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The Chevy Spark EV has been announced, and it looks pretty good, so far. Seats four, costs ~$32,500 before incentives, and has a pack that is at least 20kWh using A123 cells. They did some aerodynamic mods and lowered the Cd from 0.36 down to 0.325; a 10% reduction.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1453594959 Chevy Spark EV Can Be Had For Under $25,000 After Incentives - Gas 2 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Priced At Less Than $32,500 The battery pack is under the back seat and the hatch floor, and it is very torquey - 400ft/lb. http://images.thecarconnection.com/m...00410144_m.jpg If I missed an earlier post on this, I apologize. |
...it super-fast recharges on DC, but that option is an EXTRA COST OPTION! Standard is the same-o-same-o 120/240VAC charger units as VOLT uses (8 hr overnight).
...sorry, but 0.325 Cd is NOT very good aerodynamics...the much bigger VOLT is around 0.30 as I recall. |
I agree - the company that built the EV1 with its Cd of 0.20 is capable of much more. At least they are going to build and sell a practical four seat, four door EV. EV's save about $17,000 per 100K miles of driving vs an average ~22mpg vehicle. The Spark EV is better (on paper at least) than the Mitsubishi i MiEV which is selling for almost exactly the same price. We can hope that Honda sees the light and sells their Fit EV everywhere, for a similar price - I think they would clean up!
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In comparison, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV has a 16kwh battery pack and a 62 mile range, with a Drag Coefficient of .35.
So if Chevy can sell the Spark, with a larger battery pack, less drag for the same price as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV then I think that they might have a good market, I suspect that their EPA range is going to be near 80 miles. |
Where are you guys getting prices that the Spark at ~$32,500 is less than the MiEV which MSRP starts at $29,125k?
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Another difference between the Spark and MiEV is the battery chemistry. The MiEV is using lithium titanate versus the Spark's lithium iron phosphate. I believe lithium titanate is better suited to abuse (fast charging) than lithium iron phosphate. However, the A123 nanophosphate technology should narrow if not eliminate that gap. The townside of lithium titanate I believe is that it is not as energy dense thus the battery is larger and I'd imagine heavier.
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Could it be Toyota embellishing their Cd numbers or GM is incapable to get below 0.30 on a hatchback/liftback ? |
I do believe when the Prius came out GM had it tested in their wind tunnel and questioned the Cd that Toyota had calculated. That was a while back, and I've only heard it second hand.
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I think the Leaf Cd is 0.29 and the Volt is 0.28? The Spark EV obviously suffers from shape drag more than detail drag; but at least they are working on it.
My point with bringing up the EV1 is that GM obviously knows how to build a low aero drag car. |
All these new electrics cars are a joke. Battery technology is not ready for it in terms of mass consumers. The tax breaks come from people paying taxes so you can drive 100 miles. Add in the fact the batteries are made from precious metals makes it less attractive. If someone wants a electric currently they are buying it for the fact it is a more earth friendly car/status symbol and not economical reasons. The gov't should realize this and not offer incentives.
Currently technology favors diesels in terms of cost effectiveness. Gov't should be offering incentives on new cars with clean diesels. On the topic of Spark Cd, that is bad given current compact/small/mid-size car standards. Most are .32 or below. |
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All I hear is a echo of what people said about hybrids ~12 years ago... :) |
Until you have driven one, you might want to hold any proclamations. As I may have mentioned around this forum before, my brother drives an i MiEV and his wife drives a Leaf. They both totally love their electric cars - they are quieter and smoother than any car you can think of. They both see estimated ranges of 100+ miles in the summer, and they have never been stranded, or even been forced into "turtle" mode.
My brother still owns a Tacoma for hauling stuff, and can borrow my Mom's Prius for long trips. They are getting 26 solar PV panels installed (for ~$1400 down payment) and their electric bill will be $58/month for the next 20 years. Currently, they pay between $80 and $170 a month, which includes A/C and both their electric cars. |
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