It’s long overdue, but Canadian retail customers in Ontario, BC and Quebec who are looking to make the jump to fully electric vehicles will soon be able to add the Chevrolet Spark EV to the list of available vehicles for consideration.
In a press release issued yesterday, General Motors of Canada announced that retail sales of the sub-compact Chevrolet Spark EV will begin early in 2016. Up to this point the only way to access a Spark EV in Canada was through fleet sales.
“We’re expanding our electric vehicle offerings to our customers by offering the 2016 Spark EV for retail sales in the growing EV markets here in Quebec as well as in Ontario and BC,” said Chris Hay, regional director for Chevrolet. “For city residents whose transportation needs can be met with an all-electric vehicle, Spark EV builds on Chevrolet’s proven electric motor and battery development programs from the Chevrolet Volt.”
The Spark EV made it’s global debut at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show and since then has been available in limited markets in the US. This was something I personally found to be a shame since I’ve had the chance to drive the Spark EV on two occassions, including at an electrification event in San Francisco two weeks before the L.A. Auto Show reveal (see video below), and have always enjoyed the experience.
While all fully electric vehicles enjoy the performance advantage that comes with full torque availability as soon as you touch the accelerator, the Spark EV offers a bit more ‘oomph’ than similar EVs such as the Nissan Leaf, the Kia Soul EV or the Ford Focus EV. Offering 327 lb/ft of instant torque, the Spark EV will go 0 – 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. It can’t touch the Tesla Model S, especially the insane acceleration of the new dual-motor P85D but it’s still not too shabby.
Driving range for the Spark EV is posted at 131 KMs, but my guess is that in good weather conditions and without the use of a heavy foot, one would likely be able to extend that range by another 10 – 20 %.
This announcement comes not long after General Motors announced that they will commit to building a fully electric car, based on the Bolt EV concept that was debuted at the 2015 North American International Autoshow in Detroit. The Bolt EV concept was promoted as a fully electric vehicle offering 200 miles (321 kms) and priced around $30,000 (after rebates).
The Spark EV will still have limited access as it will only be sold through select dealerships in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, provinces that each offer rebates or other incentives relating to the purchase of fully electric vehicles. Pricing details were not announced as of yet, but G.M. Canada says they will provide those details closer to when the Spark EV becomes available in Canada.
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