General Motors is to produce a battery-powered version of the Spark mini-car, which will be sold in limited quantities (about 2000 a year) all over the world - including California, seen as the strongest market for alternative fuels.
It will be sold there from late 2012 as a 2013 model alongside the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle and the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist, although it won't be sold in all states.
The battery Spark will be based on the Chevrolet Beat EV concept shown in India earlier this year (the Spark is badged as the Beat in some markets), and will incorporate feedback from GM's battery-car test fleets in Shanghai (the Sail EV), Korea (Cruze EV) and India (Beat EV).
The battery Beat concept has a 20kWh lithium-ion battery powering a 45kW electric motor, giving it a (theoretical) range of 130km. Recharging takes about eight hours using domestic 220V power, or 30 minutes on 380-volt, three-phase current.
The conventional Spark will also be released in North America early in 2012 as a US-only model with different front styling from the global Spark, as seen in South Africa.