Recent content by GRA

While I agree that the in-dash display's accuracy has not, to my knowledge, been verified directly outside of GM by instruments of known accuracy and precision, the fact is that the cars do go considerably further than a LEAF (which has both a larger total and larger usable capacity). In...

The Spark does seem to be quite efficient. Lowest reported m/kWh I'remember seeing on the Spark forum was about 4.2, with many reporting over 5 and IIRR some over 6. GM seems to have done their work on getting high powertrain efficiency. IIRR there are some graphs floating around somewhere...

You are using the 2014 battery's total capacity of 21.3-21.4 kWh in your calcs, rather than its usable capacity, which is right around 19kWh (+- the usual allowed tolerance, as above).

http://insideevs.com/real-world-test-shows-chevy-spark-ev-has-substainally-more-range-than-nissan-leaf-62-mph-wvideo/ Note the person who conducted the test :D

Tony, has the weather not been cooperating so that you can't do your standard range test, or have you just been busy?

Charging at both work and home for 40 miles/day, L1 would be fine, but get the L2 at home anyway. L1-only is very limiting to spontaneity and utility, and especially so for a battery as big as the B-class has. If you're going to pay extra for the extra battery you might as well get the benefit...

Via ievs.com: http://insideevs.com/model-year-2015-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-range-package-becomes-standard/

Yes, personally I care more about passing times than I do 0-60, and the B-class is equal or better there. The only area of performance where the M-B really falls short of the i3 is stopping distance, although I'm sure the i3 feels more fun to toss around. But the lower M-B noise numbers are...

No more than you'd expect, given C/D's emphasis and target audience. The data does indicate that the B-Class is a better car for routine day to day use, while the i3 is better (as you'd expect) for rat-racing for half an hour.