Chevrolet explains the Spark's electric motor interworkings [Video]

GM has released new information and a video to help explain the Spark's electric powertrain.

There is no doubt that one of the inhibiting factors keeping electric vehicles from selling is a lack of understanding of the technology in the marketplace, which in turn limits sales to early adopters that tend to go above and beyond in their research.

To help expand the list of potential early adopters, General Motors has produced a handy and thorough video that explains the two common types of electric motors used in cars, as well as other aspects of the EV powertrain in the soon-to-be-released Chevrolet Spark.

(Electric Motors 101 - more after video)


"We've spent the past few years highlighting our in-house battery capability, which will play a significant role as one of our core competencies going forward," said Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Vehicle Electrification Engineering.

As the video points out, electric motors are extremely commonplace in cars today, with many models containing dozens of them, but what isn't common is the use of electric motors to propel the vehicle itself. Instead, the motors are used to power accessories such as windows or automatic doors, without most consumers even realizing it.

Chevy is working on electric motors at its pilot facility in Wixom, a Detroit suburb, while waiting for domestic production of electric motors at GM's White Marsh, Maryland, plant, in 2012. At that point, a motor will be produced that produces 114 horsepower, which will debut in the 2013 Chevy Spark EV. By contrast, the gas-powered Spark receives just 83 horsepower from its 1.2-liter engine.

The Chevrolet Spark EV is expected to make its debut at SEMA in early November, so be sure to check back for more details on GM's next minicar.