US automaker General Motors (GM) has started the production of electric motors for the new Chevrolet Spark electric vehicle (EV) at its Baltimore Operations facility in White Marsh, Maryland.
The new Spark EV will be GM's first vehicle since the signing of EV1 project in 2003.
The model will be powered by battery systems from A123 that include nanophosphate lithium-ion battery packs, in addition to electric motors that generate an output of 130hp and 400lbft of torque.
GM claims the electric motor allows the EV to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds.
The electric motors produced at the Baltimore plant will be shipped to South Korea, where the EV is being assembled.
Initially, GM will begin sales of the new EV in California and Oregon during summer 2013, with further sales in Canada, Europe and South Korea to be followed.
GM is also planning to build two new EVS, which are aimed at offering a range of 100 and 200-miles respectively.
