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All-electric Spark Posts Highest EPA Rating for Combined Travel
There’s a new name atop the nation’s fuel-efficiency leaderboard for electric vehicles sold to retail customers: Now that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rated the 2014 Chevy Spark EV as capable of 119 MPGe in mixed travel—supported by marks of 128 MPGe city/109 MPGe highway—the Bowtie brand’s all-electric entry has taken over the No. 1 slot in the combined driving category.
“Being able to provide our customers with the best overall efficiency of any retail EV has always been a key target for the Spark EV engineering team,” said Pam Fletcher, GM executive chief engineer for electrified vehicles. “We’re poised to deliver to the market an EV that’s not just efficient, but also thrilling to drive thanks to the 400 lb-ft torque output of its electric motor.”
That kind of twisting power helps deliver a 0-60 time of under 8 seconds and is combined with 130 hp—46 more than in the gas-powered Spark. Other benefits of the Spark’s high-efficiency powertrain include a driving range of 82 miles and an available DC fast-charging unit that can enable an 80 percent charge in about 20 minutes. Oh, and other benefits of the Spark itself include a cabin that was just named to Ward’sAuto World’s annual list of 10 Best Interiors.
But how does the 2014 Chevy Spark EV’s efficiency performance stack up against its rivals? Let’s see…
Okay, so the 2014 Chevy Spark EV boasts the highest EPA grade in the industry in combined driving, but let’s see exactly how much higher the bar was raised here by comparing the EPA line posted by the Spark EV with those of its most likely rivals:
Chevy Spark EV—128 MPGe city/109 MPGe highway/119 MPGe combined
Fiat 500e—122/108/116
Honda Fit EV—132/105/118
Nissan LEAF*—130/102/116
Mitsubishi i-MiEV—126/99/112
Smart Electric Drive—122/93/107
*Note: The EPA has yet to release its official numbers for the 2013 Nissan LEAF; the figures shown here were taken from the brand’s retail website.