Maryland’s state seal reads, “Fatti maschii, parole femine.” Translated from Italian? “Manly deeds, womanly words.” Which brings up a whole pile of gender-studies questions that we’re somewhat unqualified to answer. And we’re not entirely sure what it has to do with Chevrolet’s decision to sell the juice-cutesy Spark EV in the state. When we attended a prototype drive of the EV back in 2012, Chevy made a big deal of noting that it wasn’t designed to be a “compliance car,” sold only in California to appease the California Air Resources Board. But until now, the little EV has only been available in the Golden State and in Oregon.
Maryland isn’t exactly fossil-fuels-über-alles Texas. It’s one of the seven states who’ve rallied behind California’s ZEV mandate, requiring 15 percent of vehicles sold from 2025 to be BEVs, PHEVs, or powered by hydrogen fuel cells. GM’s decision to make the Chesapeake Bay State its next market didn’t exactly come from a desire to speak manly words or perform womanly deeds. Or to engage in some Frank N. Furter-style gender-bending dress up. The General cites a developed EV-charging infrastructure as a primary factor in the decision. The Spark EV also has Maryland roots, featuring an electric motor and drive unit built at GM’s Baltimore Operations facility.
- Comparison Test: 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV vs. 2013 Fiat 500E, 2014 Ford Focus Electric, 2013 Honda Fit EV, 2013 Nissan Leaf SL, 2013 Smart Fortwo ED Cabriolet
- Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept: 200-Mile Electric Range, $38K
- Chevrolet Spark EV Full Coverage: News, Photos, Specs, Reviews, and More
Last year (during which it won a C/D comparo), Spark EV sales totaled 1145, in California and Oregon, which places it firmly in the realm of minuscule-selling compliance cars. Chevrolet optimistically notes that’s an 85 percent improvement over the year before. How much will Maryland add to the equation? Not much, maybe, but one more EV for sale in the state could lead to a further build-out of charging infrastructure, paving the way for the upcoming Bolt. Deeds? Words? Right now, it’s all electric androgyny.
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via Agya
