Chevy Spark EV Hits the Desert for Hot Weather Testing

[Neromanceres]

Just saw this posed on the chevrolet voltage website. There are some interesting tidbits.

Before you ask, no, we do not expect the Spark to travel the full 305 miles on a single charge. We’ll be stopping along the route to charge using DC fast charging. As we make our stops we’d like for you to come by and say hello to our team and see the cars. You can follow us as to travel along the route on our Twitter hashtag: #SparkEV.

http://www.chevroletvoltage.com/inde...r-testing.html

[Dan & Nan]

Before you ask, no, we do not expect the Spark to travel the full 305 miles on a single charge. We’ll be stopping along the route to charge using DC fast charging. As we make our stops we’d like for you to come by and say hello to our team and see the cars. You can follow us as to travel along the route on our Twitter hashtag: #SparkEV. http://www.chevroletvoltage.com/inde...r-testing.html

Now that is interesting. I wonder if they're going to be using the SAE Combo plug that we've heard so much about or CHAdeMO. There's no SAE Combo L3 chargers yet - so what are they going to do?

Wow, this could be huge!

[scottf200]

Now that is interesting. I wonder if they're going to be using the SAE Combo plug that we've heard so much about or CHAdeMO. There's no SAE Combo L3 chargers yet - so what are they going to do?

Aside: BMW is testing the SAE Combo L3 on the ActiveE getting ready for the i3. Tom M has shown pictures on MNL.

[mws1047]

There's no SAE Combo L3 chargers yet - so what are they going to do?

Wow, this could be huge!

To support GM's testing program and not be constrained by infrastructure readiness on this trip, is GM using mobile DC fast charging? If so, is it vehicle based akin to a fuel tanker (an energy bank?)?

[Dan & Nan]

Aside: BMW is testing the SAE Combo L3 on the ActiveE getting ready for the i3. Tom M has shown pictures on MNL.

I'm familiar with Tom and the i3; the port has been shown but there's no public use SAE Combo L3 chargers in the U.S. yet. So, I don't know what they're doing there either. Is BMW using a prototype SAE Combo L3 or J1772 adapter and just charging at L2? LOL, "just L2". BMW uses a 7.7 charger, which is more than twice as fast as our 3.3 so "just L2" is over 20MPHC

To support GM's testing program and not be constrained by infrastructure readiness on this trip, is GM using mobile DC fast charging? If so, is it vehicle based akin to a fuel tanker (an energy bank?)?

That's probably what's happening. I hope to they post some pictures of the trip.

Very exciting for EV, GM, the SAE Combo and the future.

[Statik]

Now that is interesting. I wonder if they're going to be using the SAE Combo plug that we've heard so much about or CHAdeMO. There's no SAE Combo L3 chargers yet - so what are they going to do?

Wow, this could be huge!

I actually did a piece on this a couple months ago. Basically the nutshell is the Spark EV will have the combo:

GM spokesman Kevin Kelly said the Spark EV will offer the new Combined Charging System on board when production does begin, making it the first announced new electric offering to thrown down the challenge to CHAdeMO.

Link to article if you care to read it: InsideEVs: Spark EV First New EV to Adopt New Fast Charging Standard

[Dan & Nan]

I actually did a piece on this a couple months ago. Basically the nutshell is the Spark EV will have the combo:



Link to article if you care to read it: InsideEVs: Spark EV First New EV to Adopt New Fast Charging Standard

Yes, I know what they're using, I was asking what they were using to L3 charge it during their trip since there are no SAE Combo chargers available for public use. The protocal is different but I thought maybe they had a way to use an adapter.

BTW, I read your article and disagree with this.

Yesterday, eight major automakers and both the Society of International Engineers and European manufacturing association (ACEA) got together at EVS26 in Los Angeles and debuted the “new standard” for DC fast charging, the Combined Charging System (link).

However, many questions still remained. Would this group be srtong enough to dethrone the existing CHAdeMO standard for fast charging, which is already found on all EVs on the road today, and on charging stations throughout Europe, Japan and California? What would established EV makers like Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota, that are currently backing CHAdeMO do?

Toyota didn't participate in the SAE Combo announcement, but they're supporting it along with DAF, Fiat, Jaguar Land Rover, MAN, PSA, Renault, Scania, Volvo, and AB Volvo. None of them participated, but they're all supporters. I think Nissan will be supporting it before long too.

But, back OT, very cool news about the Spark.

[Statik]

Yes, I know what they're using, I was asking what they were using to L3 charge it during their trip since there are no SAE Combo chargers available for public use. The protocal is different but I thought maybe they had a way to use an adapter.

BTW, I read your article and disagree with this.
Toyota didn't participate in the SAE Combo announcement, but they're supporting it along with DAF, Fiat, Jaguar Land Rover, MAN, PSA, Renault, Scania, Volvo, and AB Volvo. None of them participated, but they're all supporters. I think Nissan will be supporting it before long too.

But, back OT, very cool news about the Spark.

Ah gotcha. I know they have CHAdeMO to new standard adapters, so I would imagine that is what in play.

However, there was a lot of misreporting when the new standard came out. Toyota is definitely NOT backing SAE. They are an executive member of CHAdeMO, and are part of the group that made the standard a couple years back. They did say they perhaps would make the SAE standard available if that become the prevelant player in an area.

Here is the Toyota press release on CHAdeMO:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp...0031501-e.html

Also, it is illogical to say Renault is supporting SAE over CHAdeMO. For starters, Nissan and Renault are essentially the same company. Ghosn runs Nissan, Renault and AESC (pack and systems maker), they sell the stations, and there is the fact they are currently installing 400 fast chargers (CHAdeMO protocol) right now across Europe. And another 1,000 are being put into France by Renault (all CHAdeMO).

[Dan & Nan]

Ah gotcha. I know they have CHAdeMO to new standard adapters, so I would imagine that is what in play.

However, there was a lot of misreporting when the new standard came out. Toyota is definitely NOT backing SAE. They are an executive member of CHAdeMO, and are part of the group that made the standard a couple years back. They did say they perhaps would make the SAE standard available if that become the prevelant player in an area.

Here is the Toyota press release on CHAdeMO:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp...0031501-e.html

Also, it is illogical to say Renault is supporting SAE over CHAdeMO. For starters, Nissan and Renault are essentially the same company. Ghosn runs Nissan, Renault and AESC (pack and systems maker), they sell the stations, and there is the fact they are currently installing 400 fast chargers (CHAdeMO protocol) right now across Europe. And another 1,000 are being put into France by Renault (all CHAdeMO).

Is their a CHAdeMO to SAE Combo adapter? I thought that was close to impossible.

Yes, there is a letter from 2010 saying Toyota supported CHAdeMO, but Toyota Motor Europe was on board. It flies in the face of what they said 2 years earlier. And so does Renault's endorsement because they are partnered with Nissan. But, it is what it is. We had this discussion at MNL. If it seems illogical to you, sorry, but like I said check out MNL where we hashed this out last month.

Toyota's going with Porsche, GM, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Ford, VW and Chrysler and will use the SAE Combo. They may not do it tomorrow, but they certainly didn't show any CHAdeMO allegiance with the Tesla built RAV4 either. True, it's Tesla internals, but come on, if they wanted to show allegiance that would have been the time. Nope, I think 10K Leaf's and all 300 i-MiEV in the U.S. are it for U.S. CHAdeMO.

Here's the link http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=8280 If you want to check it out.

Sorry this thread went so far OT.

[Statik]

Is their a CHAdeMO to SAE Combo adapter? I thought that was close to impossible.

Yes, there is a letter from 2010 saying Toyota supported CHAdeMO, but Toyota Motor Europe was on board. It flies in the face of what they said 2 years earlier. And so does Renault's endorsement because they are partnered with Nissan. But, it is what it is. We had this discussion at MNL. If it seems illogical to you, sorry, but like I said check out MNL where we hashed this out last month.

Toyota's going with Porsche, GM, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Ford, VW and Chrysler and will use the SAE Combo. They may not do it tomorrow, but they certainly didn't show any CHAdeMO allegiance with the Tesla built RAV4 either. True, it's Tesla internals, but come on, if they wanted to show allegiance that would have been the time. Nope, I think 10K Leaf's and all 300 i-MiEV in the U.S. are it for U.S. CHAdeMO.

Here's the link http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=8280 If you want to check it out.

Sorry this thread went so far OT.

Hehe, I'm not going through 60 pages of random talk at MNL to try and prove your point

I will conceed the point if you can provide a written statement from Toyota like I provided to you, same goes for Renault. You can't say "it is what it is"...well you can, but that is lazy, (=

Toyota and Renault are primary backers of CHAdeMO, always have been. If Combined standard takes off in a certain area, everyone will be forced switch, if it doesn't...it will die swiftly.