Exclusive: General Motors Working On Sonic EV With 200-Mile Range

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The upcoming pure electric vehicle being discussed in the wake of the Opel Ampera’s demise will also be sold in the United States, in the form of a Chevrolet Sonic.

The Sonic-based EV will reportedly have a 200 mile range, which will presumably come from the new battery that LG Chem (battery supplier for the Volt) is working on right now. That will arrive in 2016, which suggests that the Sonic EV won’t be introduced until at least that date.

The Sonic EV will also be built in Michigan, which will allow GM to gain regulatory credits for selling a pure EV that is also made in America. The Chevrolet Spark EV, which is built in Korea, is not eligible, and has a range of just 82 miles.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jul 24, 2014

    We'll see.

  • DrGastro997 DrGastro997 on Jul 24, 2014

    Perhaps GM should halt innovating until they've taken care of the other innovations that are failing. No more fuel to the big fire.

  • Natebrau Natebrau on Jul 25, 2014

    Hopefully this won't get ignored too badly... I'm the target market for this car. I currently have a '13 Spark EV, one of the first ones sold here in sunny L.A. I've had it for just under a year, love it. Best car I've ever owned. I put up a 5.5KW solar panel array on my house. In 2016 my 3-year lease is up, and I'll be replacing the Spark EV with something... maybe a Sonic EV. Maybe a Tesla Model 3. Maybe the next-gen Leaf. I don't know yet, but it'll be another EV. Can't wait.

  • Shaker Shaker on Jul 25, 2014

    "200 Mile" range probably means "150 Mile Real World" range, which would be fantastic, if it's affordable.

    • Russycle Russycle on Jul 25, 2014

      Affordable is the key. If they can deliver that kind of range at a Leafish price, it could do well. Otherwise, they're selling an expensive EV that looks like a typical Sonic. The Leaf and Prius are icons, they make a statement, and people will pay a premium for that. An electric Sonic is still a Sonic.

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