The 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV will arrive in Maryland dealerships this spring, marking the vehicle’s debut on the East Coast. Already on sale in California and Oregon, the Spark EV will be priced as low as $17,845 after federal and Maryland tax credits.
The electric city car features a locally sourced electric motor and drive unit, manufactured at GM’s Baltimore Operations facility in White Marsh, Maryland. The electric motor delivers 110kW (130hp) and 327lb-ft (444 Nm) of instant torque, which allows the Spark EV to sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 7.2 seconds.
The car has an EPA-estimated combined city/highway range of 82 miles (132 km) and delivers an EPA-estimated combined city/highway 119 MPGe fuel economy equivalent, with GM saying it is the most efficient U.S. retail electric vehicle on the market.
The Spark EV features a 19-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity in just 20 minutes using a combo charger for DC fast charging. However, a full charge on a dedicated 240V charger takes about 7 hours.
So why did GM choose Maryland as Spark EV’s third market? “Maryland has a strong commuter market and a good charging infrastructure, which influenced the decision to make it the Spark EV’s first East Coast market. We also have a strong dealership network in the Old Line State that’s eager to offer it,” explains Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of car marketing.
Chevrolet Spark EV sales in California and Oregon totaled 1,145 in 2014, accounting for an 86.5 percent increase over the previous year.
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