General Motors had showcased the Chevrolet Beat Electric Vehicle in India a few weeks ago and now the company has unveiled it at its home in the U.S. Known as the Spark there, the Beat EV will be sold in limited quantities in select U.S. and global markets starting in 2013. Feedback from participants in Chevrolet’s electric vehicle demonstration fleets in Shanghai (Sail EV), Korea (Cruze EV) and India (Beat EV) are being incorporated into the Spark EV is what GM claimed at the time of unveiling. A123 Systems will be supplying the advanced nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs to General Motors for the Beat EV. Details on range, quantities, specific markets and pricing are yet to be announced.
“The Spark EV offers customers living in urban areas who have predictable driving patterns or short commutes an all-electric option. It complements Chevrolet’s growing range of electrified vehicles, including the Volt extended-range EV and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist technology. Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments. The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet’s plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world,” Jim Federico, global vehicle chief engineer for electric vehicles, Chevrolet, said.
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