Spark EV Driving 101: How To Get the Most out of Chevrolet’s All-New, All-Electric Mini-Car

Car reviewers describe the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV as “fun,” “spunky” and a “hoot to drive.” With 130hp and 400 lb-ft of instant torque, the all-electric mini-car can go from 0 to 60 in 7.6 seconds.

For many Spark EV owners, getting plugged-in to an all-electric, no-gas-required lifestyle will be a new experience.

Here are a few tips to ease the transition:

• Recharge daily – And do it quicker with the soon-to-be-available SAE combo charger for DC fast charging. It can recharge the 21-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to 80-percent capacity in 20 minutes.
• Extend range – Maximize the mini-car’s EPA-estimated 82 miles (130 km) of driving range by recharging in public charging stations, or use Spark EV’s standard 120V cord in any  outlet.
• Don’t be a juice hog – Public charging stations are in high demand. After charging, move on so that other EV owners can recharge. Or if parking conditions allow, place a note on your dashboard saying it’s okay to unplug your car if the Green Light indicating a full charge is flashing.
• Know the distance – The available BringGo smartphone app can help Spark EV owners know how far they can go without recharging by providing full-function, in-dash navigation via Chevrolet MyLink as well as live traffic updates, for less than $60.
• Go with the flow – Many EV owners like to maximize range by driving at or below the speed limit. No problem, just steer clear of the fast lane so other Spark EV drivers can enjoy their instant torque.
• Be loud – The Pedestrian Friendly Alert Function projects a light chirp and calls attention to Spark EV’s presence. Pulling the turn signal lever back while in Drive will give a friendly honk. The alert can be set to activate automatically in Drive and Reverse at speeds below 18 mph (28 km/h).
• Enjoy the savings – Spark EV can save its owners approximately $9,000 in fuel over five years compared to the average new vehicle – that’s $150 per month that can be spent on something else.    
• Be an EV advocate – Expect to get lots of questions about Spark EV. Take these opportunities to spread the advantages of going gas free.

Expanding the Spark lineup, the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV is designed to make the trip as electrifying as the destination. It is priced under $19,995 with tax incentives and is now available to residents in California and Oregon, with sales expanding to Canada, South Korea and Europe later.

Check out the Spark EV at Tom Bell Chevrolet, and make sure to stay up to date on our Facebook and Twitter.

Stingrays on the Way!

Chevrolet began shipping the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray Coupe to dealers yesterday! 

“It’s an amazing sight to see the transporters filled with Stingrays heading to customers in all corners of the country,” said Dave Tatman, plant manager of General Motors’ Bowling Green Assembly plant. “The pride at Bowling Green is overwhelming and it shows in the tremendous quality and attention to detail going into each one of these new Corvettes.”

Bowling Green Assembly has produced approximately 1,000 Corvette Stingrays for customer deliveries. Most of these vehicles are expected to be delivered to dealers within the next few weeks. To expedite delivery, vehicles may be shipped out of build sequence, which is a normal part of any new vehicle launch.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Tom Bell Chevrolet website. You don't want to miss these! Be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for more news and updates.

The Dog Days of Summer

Summer is almost over and the hot temps beating down on our cars is finally coming to an end.  Your car’s well-being needed extra special TLC to get you from point A to point B during this time.  Just in case you weren’t able to give the extra care, here are some maintenance tips  that will help you achieve the longevity of your  transportation: 

- Check your battery for a chalky substance around the terminals.  Make sure your battery is clean and free of debris.  If your battery is bulging out, it might be time to replace it with one that doesn’t pose a danger of exploding under your hood.

- Check your tires for even wear on the tread.  If it is not even, you might want to bring your car in for an alignment inspection or maybe it is time to balance your tires.  Needless to say if your wear and tear is at the point of balding, you should get new tires.

- Your car relies on a proper cooling system during the hotter months.  Bring your car into a mechanic for a proper inspection of belts, hoses, pressure cap, thermostat and coolant levels with proper ratios.

Feel free to schedule an end of summer maintenance inspection with us:  http://bit.ly/18DYR4O