For as low as $14,995, the golden bowtie offers its customers with the possibility of owning one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market. On sale in California, Maryland, and Oregon, the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV mirrors the green technologies employed by the GM Baltimore Operations complex, the facility where the nameplate's motor and drive unit are made.
The main reason the Spark EV is sold in these three states is because of the developed charging infrastructure. With 327 lb-ft (444 Nm) on tap, the diminutive Spark EV promises 82 miles (132 km) of EPA-estimated combined city and highway range.
Vector in a 7-hour recharging time and a battery that benefits from an 8-year limited warranty and it’s easy to understand the appeal of such an eco-friendly car. As mentioned beforehand, the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV’s motor and drive unit are assembled in Maryland at a facility that will make the eco crowd wet itself.
Through the addition of 580 kilowatts of solar panels to the roof of the e-Motor building, the brand’s Baltimore Operations factory ups the ante in terms of renewable energy solutions. Together with a 1.23-megawatt solar array on its grounds, approximately 6 percent of the facility’s electricity comes from renewable sources.
Other than relying on the sunshine for electricity, the GM Baltimore Operations plant uses LED and ultra-efficient fluorescent lighting to reduce the building’s carbon footprint. “We believe the future is electric, and strive to ensure our manufacturing process reflects the clean efficiency of these vehicles,” said GM Baltimore Operations plant manager Bill Tiger. “We’re always looking for better ways to power our future.”
If gasoline is more to your liking, you might be interested in the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Spark.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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