Potential purchase of 2015 Spark EV 1LT DCFC 40K miles

[MrDRMorgan]

I went to a dealer in CT to purchase a 2015 Spark EV 2LT w DCFC with 40,000 miles. Since it was a CPO, I assumed the dealer would know the battery capacity, but they did not. I did not have the ability to measure it myself (my mistake). And it was Saturday so the dealer did not have the ability (the technicians) to test the battery.

The battery was not fully charged when I arrived, but they charged it to 100% and GOM read 54 miles. The ambient temperature was 30F.

Since I did not know the capacity of the battery, I asked them to measure it on Monday and send me the data. (Today, as I write this, is Saturday - the day I went to the dealer.)

Please let me know what you think is a reasonable battery capacity for this vehicle. The dealer purchased the vehicle off lease in Oregon.

Thanks in advance.

My best guess is 14.5 to 15.5 kWh. See if you can find a local Spark EV driver who is using TorquePro to measure the battery capacity in his Spark EV and have him make the measurement. It will be the most reliable estimate of Spark EV HV battery capacity you can get.

 

[NORTON]

Or just take it for a long test drive.
Have the turkeys make sure the car is fully charged.
Use up >50% of the capacity according to the Energy Usage page and do the math.
That number will be close enough.

Has there ever been a Spark EV with a bad HV battery?

 

[MrDRMorgan]

Or just take it for a long test drive.
Have the turkeys make sure the car is fully charged.
Use up >50% of the capacity according to the Energy Usage page and do the math.
That number will be close enough.

Has there ever been a Spark EV with a bad HV battery?

I concur but.... drive in D, use cruise control to maintain a steady speed, and find a nice long and flat road with no tail or head winds. If you are not careful, regeneration can really mess up this calculation. But, this method of calculating the battery capacity will get you in the ball park. Be sure to check the Energy Information screen to be sure all the % and kWh Used numbers were reset to zero as a result of a full charge. Also, reset your trip meter to zero too.

 

[67goat]

Or just take it for a long test drive.
Have the turkeys make sure the car is fully charged.
Use up >50% of the capacity according to the Energy Usage page and do the math.
That number will be close enough.

Has there ever been a Spark EV with a bad HV battery?

Mine. Just got diagnosed with a bad cell (43K miles). It was causing the car to go super wonky. Getting replaced for free under warranty.

 

[NORTON]

..Has there ever been a Spark EV with a bad HV battery?

Mine. Just got diagnosed with a bad cell (43K miles). It was causing the car to go super wonky. Getting replaced for free under warranty.

Interesting!
What happens to the old pack?
Could you ask them questions about the whole system of warranty replacements?

 

[67goat]

..Has there ever been a Spark EV with a bad HV battery?

Mine. Just got diagnosed with a bad cell (43K miles). It was causing the car to go super wonky. Getting replaced for free under warranty.

Interesting!
What happens to the old pack?
Could you ask them questions about the whole system of warranty replacements?

I was planning on asking what they do with the old battery when I go in, but I assume it has a core charge value. Being such a low production vehicle, I don’t know if it would be worth it to recondition vs recycle the pack.

If people submit questions, I will see if I can get them answered. From what I could gather, local techs do the testing. Then corporate engineers evaluate the issues, and tell them what to replace.

The guy at the service desk said corporate initially wanted to replace a part in the pack and the bad cell. The price would have been several thousand and not covered by the warranty. He said he went back and forth with the engineers and finally got them to sign off on full pack replacement under warranty. That could have been some made up salesman line, but that is what he said. Either way, it comes out as no cost to me.

 

[SparkE]

If it is a warranty replacement, you don't have 'a right' to the used parts ; those belong to GM (who paid for the work under warranty). However, if GM isn't paying to have it shipped back to them (which they probably are) it could be yours for next to nothing! It would be a nice battery for a solar system (if you have some EE chops, or know somebody who does).

 

[67goat]

If it is a warranty replacement, you don't have 'a right' to the used parts ; those belong to GM (who paid for the work under warranty). However, if GM isn't paying to have it shipped back to them (which they probably are) it could be yours for next to nothing! It would be a nice battery for a solar system (if you have some EE chops, or know somebody who does).

I didn’t think I would get the pack. I assume there is a core charge that could be pretty hefty. My solar panels are tied to the grid. I could still tie it in, but while I have the skills to do so, I don’t do any electrical that requires me to work directly in the panel. Plus, I have no idea how I would move something that heavy (and the Spark is my only car, so it would be a problem to even get home first).

I’m just more curious with what they actually do with it.

 

[SparkE]

When my wife totaled my first Spark EV (well, she had an accident, the insurance co said it was a total loss) I almost, almost, almost bought it back just for the battery. I didn't only because :

- I didn't have solar at that time (although I was seriously tempted to change electric rates to get super cheap at night, fill the battery, then use during the day)
- I didn't have a place to 'temporarily' store the vehicle except my driveway, and I *knew* my wife wouldn't put up with that for more than a month or so (those who tinker know that 'time needed' is often "time you think it will take" times 10 or 20. )

I still regret not buying it. It would have been a great 'spare battery'.