Chevrolet to debut all electric Spark mini car in 2013

New York — Chevrolet plans to roll out a Spark mini-car that runs entirely on electricity beginning in 2013, a move that will add to General Motors Co.’s electric car fleet.

The Detroit automaker said Wednesday that the Spark EV will be sold in limited quantities in certain U.S. markets, such as California, and overseas. The pricing as well as further information on specific markets and quantities will be disclosed later, GM said. Battery maker A123 Systems Inc. will supply the Spark EV’s battery packs.

Jim Federico, Chevrolet’s global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles, said in a statement that the car will complement the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist, a new gas-electric hybrid technology that can boost a car’s fuel economy.

Sales of the Volt have been slower than expected for GM, but the company said Friday that demand for the car — which can run solely on battery power for about 35 miles before a gasoline generator kicks in — is still strong.

Through September, GM has sold only 3,895 Volts, far short of its goal of 10,000 in the first year. But the Volt is on sale in only 27 states. It is expected to be for sale nationwide by the end of the year.
© 2011 The Canadian Press