GENERAL MOTORS, maker of the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid, announced on Wednesday, 12th October 2011 that it will begin selling a totally electric subcompact car in 2013. Named as Chevy Spark EV, the subcompact will be sold in select markets in the U.S. and will use nano-phosphate lithium-ion battery pack supply by A123 Systems Inc. based in America.
The EV will be based on the popular gasoline version Chevrolet Spark (referred as Holden Barina Spark in Australia), but featuring a full-electric powertrain.
Visual of Spark EV
Concept of the powertrain and chassis dsitribution
Current gasoline driven Chevy Spark
This model will be the rival of Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi iMiev, Honda Fit EV, Ford Focus EV, and Scion, competing in small and medium passenger car segment.
The diminutive Chevy Spark could undermine the idea that the time is right for EV mass implementation to auto market worldwide.
India version of Spark EV called as Beat showed earlier
Anyway, the California Air Resource Board’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandates require that the auto industry’s top six companies collectively produce approximately 25,000 gas-free cars between 2013 and 2015. Because of the ZEV credit system’s complexity—which allows buying credits as well as producing cars—the exact number of vehicles mandated for each automaker is not precise. Observers believe the number is approximately 1,500 to 3,000. Introducing an EV might be one of GM strategy to meet the requirement.
Even for Chevy Volt, it can only satisfy 50% of the GM’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) credit requirement—and that’s only after the car is certified as an Enhanced Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (EAT-PZEV). Since current Volt is classified as a conventional hybrid, GM is required to produce either an all-electric car or a fuel-cell vehicle. The Spark could represent the least expensive option for GM to meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate. Anyway, GM is not the only company producing electric vehicles only as meeting the minimal compliance pathway to meet ZEV mandates.
GM is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Lacrosse passenger vehicles manufactured from June 9, 2011 through July 2, 2011 for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125, “Electronic Stability Control Systems (ECS).” The stabilitrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the Safety Standard.
Consequence: A malfunctioning sensor may cause the ESC to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, which may cause loss of control, and could result in a crash without warning.
Remedy: GM Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module free of charge. The Safety Recall is expected to begin during August 2011. Owners may contact Buick at 866-608-8080.
Notes: GM’s Safety Recall Number is 11222. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.