The electric vehicle market has come a long way in the last decade. These vehicles were once clubbed with other oddballs in the ‘alternative fuel’ category, but now they make up a significant chunk of the market. Modern EVs are packed with premium features and juiced-up batteries that can go hundreds of miles on a single charge, while sometimes shaming sports cars with their performance.
It’s a double-edged sword, though. Cars have gotten really expensive in recent years, and EVs are no exception, especially with manufacturers focusing on bulking up the brochures with features rather than keeping costs down. But not long ago, Chevrolet had made an electric car that was small and affordable. Here’s the story of the little-known Chevrolet Spark EV.
- Base Trim Engine
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Electric
- Base Trim Transmission
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Single Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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140 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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400 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy
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128/109 MPG
- Make
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Chevrolet
- Model
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Spark EV
- Segment
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Subcompact Hatchback
The Chevrolet Spark’s Rise To Popularity
The Chevrolet Spark, as we know it today, was originally developed by Daewoo Motors and sold as the Matiz. It was first launched in 1998, and when Chevrolet acquired Daewoo Motors in 2002, it was rebranded as Chevrolet Spark in some global markets. It received a generational update in 2005, featuring more modern details while still retaining the Matiz and Spark names, depending on the market.
The one sold in the US was the third-generation Chevrolet Spark, based on the Chevy Beat concept. It was launched in some markets in 2009 and made its way to the US by 2012, and it also introduced Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system. The next generational update came in 2015, and this car was noted for being one of the most affordable cars in North America. It was great, but discontinued in 2022.
Over its lifespan of nearly a quarter of a century, the Chevrolet Spark made a name for itself as a highly affordable, reliable, and easy-to-own subcompact car. Due to its miniature size and excellent maneuverability, it was ideal for city driving. And although the engine lacked pep, its good fuel economy made up for it. The interior was also surprisingly spacious for a car of its size. It was ordinary, sure, but it was very good at what it did.
What many don’t know is that, along the way, Chevrolet also introduced an electric variant of the Spark. This Spark EV was only sold in two states, and while it had excellent potential to be the best affordable EV out there, it missed the mark. Perhaps it was too little, too soon for the EV market. It’s natural to think that, had it been launched today, things would’ve been quite different for the Spark EV.
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The Chevrolet Spark EV Was An Excellent, Affordable EV
The Chevrolet Spark EV was a limited-production all-electric version based on the standard Spark. It was sold in the US between 2014 and 2016, limited to only two regional markets of Oregon and California. But it was much more than just that. It was General Motors’ first all-electric passenger car since the EV1, which was discontinued in 1999. And it was also GM’s first EV that was offered for retail sale; the older EV1 was only available on lease.
Compared to the regular gas-powered Spark, the Spark EV wasn’t too different. It followed the same design language, save for some aerodynamic modifications that would only stand out if you had ever stared at a Spark for too long. It featured a grille with an automatic shutter system and a full underbody panel to reduce drag, and some touches here and there that reflected its EV persona.
Otherwise, it looked and felt more or less like the standard Spark. The cabin featured a similar layout with some EV-specific controls, though the cargo was slightly smaller due to the battery pack. It also featured a surprisingly torquey character with a decent range of over 80 miles. It was this affordability and surprisingly nimble performance that made it a terrific choice for anyone looking for an accessible, efficient EV.
Chevrolet had priced the Spark EV quite low, starting at $25,170 for the 2014 model. It came in two trims, the 1LT and the 2LT, which started at $27,495. Now, that would make you think that a cheap Chevy Spark on sale would be a good thing, but this Spark EV missed the mark. Even those who liked the car at the time only liked it for its affordability, nothing else. For others, the Spark EV simply didn’t feel worth it.
Used Electric Chevy Spark On Sale
There are only two reasons why you’d want to buy a used Chevy Spark EV. You either want an oddball electric car because you love the idea of it, or you’re looking for a cheap EV daily driver. If the latter is the case, you’re in luck because a used Chevy Spark EV is quite cheap today. Kelley Blue Book estimates a Fair Purchase Price of just $4,275 for the 1LT and $4,600 for the 2LT model. Although due to its limited run, you might have to look hard to find one.
There’s another thing you should be worried about. It is a discontinued model, and reliability ratings for the Spark EV are a mixed bag. It is highly recommended that you conduct a thorough inspection before picking up an electric Chevy Spark on sale. If it is in clean condition, though, you can have yourself a really affordable, peppy little EV that can take you around town just fine without having to spend a fortune on it.
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Surprisingly Torquey For Its Size
The electric Chevy Spark’s powertrain is a little complicated, partly because it is the same system that Chevrolet used on the Volt. It features a 21-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery consisting of 336 cells, which offers the car an EPA-estimated range of up to 82 miles with 119 miles per gallon equivalent.
What will surprise you is the Spark EV’s performance. It produces 140 horsepower and a staggering 400 pound-feet of torque, which is serious power for a car of this size. Reviews at the time noted that the power didn’t hide behind falling torque curves, either, with Chevrolet claiming it could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds. At the time, this performance was enough to blow its compact EV rivals out of the water.
Numerous Ways To Charge It
You can charge the Spark EV in various ways, with the chief among them being a 120V household outlet. This charges the car from empty to full in 17 hours. You can also use two 240V chargers, which take around 7 hours to charge the car fully. Chevrolet also offered a stage 3 fast charger that could deliver 80 percent in just 20 minutes.
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No-Nonsense Interior Focused On Daily Driving
The Chevrolet Spark EV does not pretend to be anything it is not; it was a cheap, affordable subcompact car, and its interior reflects that. The interior is not that different from the gas-powered Spark, either, save for some differences. The biggest one of those, however, is the cargo space, which is smaller at 1.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up. Folding the seats down opens up 7.8 cubic feet of space.
Being a Spark, the interior features a lot of plastic, though owners note that it doesn’t feel tacky or complicated. In fact, the dash is praised for being cleanly balanced, with EV-related buttons and controls properly placed so as not to confuse drivers. The base 1LT has cloth upholstery, and the 2LT is upgraded to leatherette on the seats and steering wheel. Other features include a 6-speaker audio system, 60/40 split folding seats, steering wheel-mounted controls, a folding armrest for the driver, cruise control, and a rear wiper.
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The Chevrolet Spark EV Was Too Little, Too Soon
The Chevy Spark EV was on sale in only two states for a couple of years. That is because Chevrolet was banking on its success there to eventually expand it, but that never happened. The sales were slow, and the Spark EV fizzled out with around 7,300 units sold in Oregon and California. It is a surprise that the car did not sell so well, but another way to look at it is that it might just have been ahead of its time.
There is a lot to like about the Chevy Spark EV. It was easy to live with, had a punchy engine, and had decent interiors for the time and the price bracket it belonged to. Sure, Chevrolet could have presented it in a better way, but that still does not take away from the fact that it had the potential to be the best electric small car on the market.
Fortunately, the Spark EV isn’t completely gone just yet. General Motors has reinvented the Spark in the form of an affordable, practical, and compact crossover. It is tiny, stylish, and offers decent performance. This new Spark sits on Chinese architecture and is sold in emerging markets. Sadly, Chevrolet has decided not to sell the new Spark in the US due to internal decision-making, certification, and importing issues. That is a shame because the new Spark is exactly what the EV market needs today.
Sources: Chevrolet, the EPA