Recent content by rickp

I doubt anyone will need more than 10K miles per year. I'll be turning in my 2014 Spark with less than 15K miles over 3 years. True, I probably drive less frequently than average but the battery charging times and limited range tend to reduce the heavy use of the vehicle. WRT those insurance...

In past years, if funds were exhausted in one fiscal year, additional funding was usually secured to provide rebates with the next fiscal year (starting July 1). So you may have to wait but will eventually get your rebate.

What dealer did you get the lease from?

$800 seems a bit high for wear/tear insurance. If you also paid $500 for the wheels, does that mean $1300 total for possible damage that might occur? If you have encountered such damage on prior cars you have owned due to personal habits/parking/storage events beyond your control, that might...

You need to post the charge current and cord length as there are several models.

On April 20 (after reading OPs post), I did the Costco auto program process and got referred back to Michelle the internet manager at Martin. I'd talked to her in the past about leasing a new Spark (my 2014 goes off lease first week of July). She told me that greensparks' lease was an unusual...

When you get your registration document, before you file for the CARB decals, make sure that the field labelled 'MP' (stands for motive power) is 'E' for electric and not another code like 'G' for gas. If it is not E, you will need to have the dealer fix it before your application will be...

I got the exact same car (blue 2LT) also at Bunnin but as a first week buyer, did not get such a good deal. However, I have no regrets at all. The car is great and I look forward to driving it every time. I will advise my friends what a reasonable starting point for negotiations based on your...

Very nice lease! I have a $200/mo($219 w/tax, $2170 drive-off including 1st months payment). I got excited as a first day available leaser and didn't negotiate. What dealership gave you this deal? I have a friend who may be interested if it's in the LA area. Don't forget the $500 credit for...

I've felt that the Spark EV would make a great drivers-ed/new driver car as it is roomy, excels in the stop/go scenario of driver training and is stable and predictable. As well, it can carry up to 3 students and yet retains the acceleration/stopping of a car carrying only the driver. However...

I've found that the indicated range on a full charge is influenced by your driving and electric use in the previous period between charges. I tend to drive in L which means higher regeneration throughout the drive. And I do not use AC unless it is really warm. After the next charge, I am...

If the dryer outlet is a NEMA 14-30 which most newer dryers use, then you can wire the EVSE with a corresponding cable and plug. They are relatively inexpensive from Amazon. The Voltec will use the two hot leads (generally blue, black or red in color) and the ground lead (green). The white...

From where and which model did you order?

Yes - it's not a CA compliance car. It will be like the Volt. They are just doing the initial roll-out in CA and OR. All of the Level 3 fast charging is DC. The AC to DC conversion happens outside of the vehicle.

Drove about 44 miles around the Palos Verdes Peninsula from Manhattan Beach. On a cloudy cool day, no air conditioning was needed. I took the surface streets to the Forrestal nature preserve, drove around the neighborhood and got about 20 road miles on 15 charge miles. On the return home, I...