2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Owner Manual - Page 194

9-2 Driving and Operating Aggressive braking is indicated when the ball turns yellow and travels below the center of the gauge. Acceleration/Braking/Coasting Avoid unnecessary rapid accelerations and decelerations. Electric range is maximized at 80 km/h (50 mph) and below. Higher speeds use more energy and can significantly reduce electric range. Use cruise control when appropriate. Plan ahead for decelerations and coast whenever possible. For example, do not rush to traffic signals. Do not shift to N (Neutral) to coast. The vehicle recovers energy while coasting and braking in D (Drive) or L (Low). Sport Mode provides more responsive acceleration than Normal Mode but can reduce efficiency. Use L (Low) in heavy stop-and-go traffic or when traveling downhill. L (Low) requires less brake pedal application and provides a controlled, efficient way to slow the vehicle down. Driving Information Driving for Better Energy Efficiency Use the following tips to help maximize energy efficiency and range. In colder temperatures, while these efficiency tips will help, the electric vehicle driving range may be lower due to higher energy usage. Climate Setting Using the heat and air conditioning systems decreases the energy available for electric driving. Optimal energy efficiency is achieved with the heat, air conditioning, and fan turned off. Operating with the TEMP button off is the most energy efficient climate setting as long as 0 is not selected. Use the heated seat feature instead of climate settings. Heating the seat uses less energy than heating the vehicle interior. Driving Style Efficiency Gauge (Instrument Cluster) The ball indicator should be kept green and in the center of the gauge. Inefficient acceleration is indicated when the ball turns yellow and travels above the center of the gauge. Drive Mode and PRNDL Selection Use Normal Mode when possible.