Chevrolet launches Cruze EV

By Tom Phillips

21st September 2010

Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution. The firm is set to introduce a fleet of demonstration electric models in South Korea, based on the Cruze saloon.

The project is due to begin by the end of October, and is a partnership between GM and electronics firm LG. Much like Audi’s A1 e-tron data gathering exercise which begins in Munich shortly, GM’s electric Cruze’s will be used to gather data about how real world users take to driving cars powered purely by electricity.

The Cruze EVs will have a 31kW/h battery pack, made by LG Chem, which allows a range of up to 100 miles. The car’s electric motor gives respectable performance, with 0-62mph taking 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 103mph.

Charging takes between 8 and 10 hours, although part of the project is to see how well a new quick charge system works when subjected to day-to-day use.