General Motor will be showcasing its production version of the Chevrolet Spark EV (known as Beat in India) at the 2012 Los Angeles Motor Show, which is scheduled to later this month. The new Chevrolet Spark EV will drive its power from Lithium-ion batteries that will be provided by A123 systems, which supply battery for all electric vehicles from GM. GM says the electric version of the Spark will be featuring the same features as its petrol and diesel counterparts. General Motors is hoping to sell this electric vehicle in US and in some selected countries.
For now this is the only detail that GM has revealed before unveiling Chevrolet Spark EV. Spark, that is also known as Beat in India is GM’s entry level vehicle in US. The vehicle is available in three and five door version depending upon the area it sells. This affordable and economic vehicle is mainly designed to suit the city conditions. The Chevrolet Beat as it is called in India is available in petrol, diesel and LPG variant, while the US market had to manage with the petrol version.
The addition of the electric variant will give buyers an option for the second powertrain, which will be offered with Spark in United States. However, in India Chevrolet is working with Reva (now Mahindra Reva) to develop electric version of the Chevrolet Spark, another entry level car in the market from GM in India. In India Spark is positioned in a lower segment as compared to the beat. The Chevrolet Spark was also revealed at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, where GM India mentioned its intention to launch this car in the market within a period of 12 to 18 months.
However, Reva was acquired by Indian auto maker Mahindra and since then the GM Reva partnership for the electric vehicle has been postponed. With the launch of the Chevrolet Spark EV in United States, Indian EV fans could hope that GM may plan to bring it to India also.