Skip to main content

Chevy says Spark EV can save you a cool $9,000 in gas over a five-year period

Chevrolet knows how important money is, which is why the American automaker is appealing to people’s wallets in the company’s latest press release about their newest electric car.

How so? It looks like the accountants over at Chevrolet want you to know that buying a Chevrolet Spark EV is not only good for the environment, what with creating zero emissions and all, but that by buying a 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV, you’re looking at savings of $9,000 in fuel costs over five years.

Recommended Videos

EPA figures give the Spark EV a combined (that’s city and highway driving) 199 miles per gallon equivalent on its 82 miles per full charge range, when compared to the average new vehicle, that’s about $159 per month in savings every month for five years, according to Chevrolet.

lOf course, at about $20,000 or less after tax breaks and rebates, Chevy wants people to know that the Spark EV is one of the most affordable EVs on the market. But more than just saving money and helping the planet, the storied bowtie wants you to know all the cool stuff $9,000 can get you, which is why it created this handy infographic.

So what does a cool $9,000 get you according to Chevrolet? How’s about a two flights to Bora Bora – or six pairs of Google Glass? Are you more concerned about the earth than you are with your bankroll? Chevy says that $9,000 consumers won’t be using will not require drudging up 2,480 gallons of dinosaur juice, which is enough to fill a small tanker truck.

The 2014 Chevy Sparks is available now in Oregon and California, with launches scheduled for Canada, South Korea, and Europe in the near future. MSRP for the Spark EV is $26,685. That figure doesn’t include state and local incentives that can often knock the price down by $7,500 or more.

While saving money is something we can all appreciate, it’s important to point out that a gasoline-powered Spark starts are a mere $12,185.

Tell us your thoughts. Is $9,000 in savings over a five year period enough to get you to go EV?

Amir Iliaifar
Former Associate Automotive Editor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
Toyota unveils 2026 bZ: A smarter, longer-range electric SUV
toyota bz improved bz4x 2026 0007 1500x1125

Toyota is back in the electric SUV game with the 2026 bZ, a major refresh of its bZ4X that finally delivers on two of the biggest demands from EV drivers: more range and faster charging.
The headline news is the improved driving range. Toyota now estimates up to 314 miles on a single charge for the front-wheel-drive model with the larger 74.7-kWh battery—about 60 miles more than the outgoing bZ4X. All-wheel-drive variants also get a boost, with up to 288 miles of range depending on trim.
Charging speeds haven’t increased in terms of raw kilowatts (still capped at 150 kW for DC fast charging), but Toyota has significantly improved how long peak speeds are sustained. With preconditioning enabled—especially helpful in colder weather—the new bZ can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Also new: Plug and Charge support for automatic payment at compatible stations and full adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS), meaning access to Tesla Superchargers will be standard by 2026.
Under the hood, or rather the floor, Toyota has swapped in higher-performance silicon carbide components to improve efficiency and power delivery. The AWD version now produces up to 338 horsepower and sprints from 0–60 mph in a brisk 4.9 seconds.
Toyota didn’t stop at just the powertrain. The exterior has been cleaned up, with body-colored wheel arches replacing the black cladding, and a sleeker front fascia. Inside, a larger 14-inch touchscreen now houses climate controls, giving the dash a more refined and less cluttered appearance. There’s also more usable storage thanks to a redesigned center console.
With the 2026 bZ, Toyota seems to be responding directly to critiques of the bZ4X. It’s faster, more efficient, and more driver-friendly—finally bringing Toyota’s EV efforts up to speed.

Read more
Cheaper EVs ahead? GM and LG say new battery cells are the key
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV front quarter view.

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have announced a new phase in their ongoing partnership: developing a new battery cell chemistry that could significantly lower the cost of electric vehicles. The joint effort centers on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cells, a variation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) that’s gaining popularity for being more affordable and less reliant on expensive materials like nickel and cobalt.

This is a big deal because battery costs are still the single largest expense in producing EVs. According to GM and industry experts, LMFP cells could help bring the cost of electric vehicles close to — or even on par with — gas-powered cars. The goal? Making EVs accessible to a broader range of drivers without sacrificing range or performance.

Read more
Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis following collisions with road barriers
Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

But the development of the technology is ongoing, and the robotaxi rides continue to gather valuable data for Waymo engineers to pore over as they further refine the driverless system to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. Which is why glitches will sometimes occur.

Read more