Last month, Paul Pebbles, General Motors global manager of OnStar electric vehicle services, defended the seriousness of the company's intent to make the Chevy Spark EV a legitimate player. In an interview with PluginCars.com, Pebbles said, “It’s not a compliance car. We’re planning a global launch of this vehicle.” She added, “It will be in a lot of markets,” without providing specifics. Now we know, at least for Canada, what General Motors has in mind for its global roll out.

When the Spark EV launches in Canada (exact date still unknown at this time, but probably late 2013), the subcompact will be a fleet-only vehicle. Eventually, it's expected to be available to the general public in Canada, but that's not confirmed at this time.

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV made its Canadian debut a few days ago at the 2013 Canadian International Auto Show. The 2014 Spark EV, expected to launch in the U.S. this summer, will have an estimated range of about 80 miles per charge. In addition to previously announced markets including California and South Korea, Spark EV will go on sale at participating dealerships throughout Oregon. The Spark EV's sticker price (prior to incentives) will start around $32,000. The vehicle will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax incentive in the United States, as well as a number of local and regional perks.

The 2014 Spark EV's motor produces approximately 130 horsepower and G.M. says it will dash from 0 to 60 mph in roughly eight seconds. It will be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability. According to G.M., the Spark's 20-kwh lithium-ion battery is capable of handling multiple DC Fast Charges daily.

G.M. claims the range and other features of the Spark EV will lead the segment, most likely defined as “small electric commuter vehicles.” Yet, that segment, so far, only includes the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Smart Electric Drive. In 2012, those two small cars combined for 727 sales in the U.S., a small percentage of the 53,172 total plug-in car sales. Traditionally, subcompact cars have not been popular among American car buyers.