EPA Rates 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV 119 MPG Equivalent

Chevrolet announced Wednesday that it expects an EPA rating of 119 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) for the 2014 Spark EV. The all-electric version of the mini-hatchback will travel 82 miles when fully charged, Chevrolet says.

With a dedicated 240-volt (Level 2) charge, the Spark EV’s battery reaches full capacity in about seven hours. Chevrolet says the Spark EV can charge to 80% capacity in as little as 20 minutes with a direct-current Level 3 quick charger. It's also among the first cars to get the industry's new combo charger, which integrates all types of charging into the same connector.

Chevrolet says that the Spark EV's electric drivetrain, which makes some 130 horsepower and 400 pounds-feet of torque, accelerates the car to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. The efficiency figures compare well with other EVs. See how they stack up below:

Who Buys the Chevrolet Spark?

The bow-tie brand's smallest car is gaining a big following with the in crowd. According to GM, the new Spark is attracting every automaker's dream demographic: young buyers new to the Chevy brand.

The subcompact hatchback has been on sale since summer of 2012 and Chevy says that 29% of its customers are younger than 35 and 51% of Sparks are purchased by women — the highest percentage of all the brand's cars. 

More important is where the buyers are coming from. GM says around 54% of Spark buyers are new to the brand and more than one in five are decamping from import makers' vehicles. Chevrolet spokeswoman Annalisa Bluhm told us that "Nissan is the import brand we are conquesting most from." She noted that Chrysler is No. 2 on the conquest list.

Car Talk: What's the Ugliest Car?

Just as a person's beauty is only skin deep, a car's is in the eye of the pink-slip holder. Still, there's just no denying that some have a face only an owner could love. Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the hosts of NPR's "Car Talk" radio show, solicited input online to determine the ugliest automobile currently in production.

Based on the nominations received, the field was narrowed to 10: Chevrolet Spark, Fiat Multipla, Infiniti QX56, Kia Soul, Lincoln MKT, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Cube, Nissan Juke (photo above), Toyota Prius v and the Smart ForTwo. At last check, the Multipla was trouncing the uncomely competition with nearly 39% of the vote. Its nearest opponent is the Juke with nearly 26%; the balance of the nominees' vote tallies were in the single digits.

Is the Multipla being unfairly maligned in the face of an uglier opponent? Or perhaps you wish to contribute to the pile-on? Click here to cast your vote.

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2014 Chevrolet Spark EV: Photo Gallery

Now making its second Los Angeles Auto Show appearance since 2011 and still without a hard number backing up its competitive-range claims, it remains to be seen how far the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will go with consumers. What we do know is that it offers a colorful exterior — with options like Electric Blue and Silver Ice paint — and some neat tech on the inside, specifically a pair of 7-inch color screens — one for the standard MyLink multimedia system and the other for function reports.

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

It'll hit dealerships in limited quantities this summer in California and Oregon with a price tag of less than $25,000 after incentives. Check out the gallery below.

2014 Chevrolet Spark EV: Up Close

Chevrolet's electrified version of the Spark micro-car will look nearly identical to the gasoline version when it goes on sale in summer 2013. Mildly tweaked front styling with a blocked grille for aerodynamics and an electric charge door are two giveaways on the exterior that there is something unique powering the wheels.

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Inside, there are two 7-inch screens to keep tabs on the electric stats, and the newfound lithium-ion battery pack makes its home under the backseat.

iPhone's Siri makes its way to the Spark and Sonic

Drivers of Chevrolet's two youth-oriented models, the Spark and Sonic, will be able to use the iPhone's virtual assistant, Siri, through the help of the standard Chevrolet MyLink multimedia system.

Coming in 2013 to the Spark 1LT and 2LT and the Sonic LTZ and RS trims, Siri in Eyes Free mode will allow drivers to make various hands-free commands, such as making phone calls, calling up music, listening and responding to text messages, and even adding appointments to the iPhone’s calendar.

After syncing the iPhone with MyLink over Bluetooth, Siri comes to your assistance as you drive. Siri won't be able to answer complex questions like, "What's the flavor of the day at Kopp's Frozen Custard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin," but the hands-free integration allows for basic assistance without the driver having to glance at the smartphone's screen, which stays completely dark in Eyes Free mode.

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2014 Chevrolet Spark EV at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show

• Competes with: Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Leaf
• Looks like: This Spark won't go anywhere near a gas station
• Drivetrain: Lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor make a total of 130 hp
• Hits dealerships: Limited quantities this summer in California and Oregon

We first saw the electric version of Chevy's smallest car at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show. The Spark EV is back at the 2012 show, and the automaker confirmed it will go on sale in the summer.

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Chevy's first all-electric car uses a lithium-ion battery pack to power the motor; the automaker says it's good for 130 horsepower. An onboard charging receptacle accommodates 120- and 240-volt outlets as well as DC quick-charging. Using the latter, the Spark's battery can reach an 80% charge in 20 minutes, according to the automaker. Using a 240-volt setup, the Spark EV can be recharged in less than seven hours, Chevy reports. It can be charged and monitored using a smartphone app or online through OnStar; it comes with three years of standard OnStar service.

GM Aims for 500,000 Vehicles With Electrification by 2017

Call it a power play in the electric-car market: GM projects that by 2017 it will have as many as half a million vehicles on the road with some form of electrification. Its next plug-in vehicle will be the Chevrolet Spark EV.

The focus will be on plug-in technology; GM's introduction of the extended-range Chevrolet Volt has energized the automaker to focus on the electric-vehicle market.

"What started out as a technology proof point … has turned into a real-world starting point to push EV technology further and faster than we thought possible five years ago," Mary Barra, GM's senior vice president of Global Product Development, said in a statement. "The unique propulsion technology pioneered in the Volt … will be a core piece of our electrification strategy going forward."

Not all of that experience has been positive, though. A report released by Reuters in September alleged that GM loses tens of thousands of dollars on every Volt due to development costs. Although the automaker disputed that figure, it acknowledged that Volt profits would not be immediate, but insisted that startup costs would be spread over future models.

Chevrolet Spark EV to Debut at L.A. Auto Show

Chevrolet is hoping to spark some interest in its new minicar when an electric version of the Spark makes its debut later this month at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

So far, Chevy's smallest car has been a sales success. "Building on that success, the plug-in electric version of the Spark EV will offer consumers the same package that has made the gasoline-powered model so popular while delivering the technology and performance of pure electric power," the automaker said in a statement.

In addition to the Spark EV, other Chevrolet vehicles expected to be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, include the new Impala, Malibu Turbo midsize sedan, Sonic RS compact car, Traverse crossover and Camaro Hot Wheels Edition.

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Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet packed lots of style into the tiny 2013 Spark, according to Cars.com reviewer David Thomas, but it's the car's size that really impresses. Though tiny, a tall roofline gives passengers plenty of room and clever flip-fold seats mean there's more cargo space than expected. With the Spark, Chevy has an affordable, surprisingly roomy microcar, Thomas says. 

2013 Chevrolet Spark Review