Founded in 2013 Spark is an enterprising new automotive company focussed exclusively on making electric cars
accessible to Sri Lankans and introducing infrastructure supportive of all types of electric vehicles. With an enthusiasm for promoting zero emission, eco-friendly transportation in the country, the company is geared to service electric vehicles and install recharging facilities country-wid
e, in addition to importing and making available world renowned brands of electric vehicles. While globally electric vehicles tend to be priced higher than gasoline powered vehicles, government policy in Sri Lanka supports green energy. Incentives towards those investing in eco-friendly vehicles include a lower percentage on duty, making a sleekly designed, low-maintenance, environmentally conscious choice of vehicle more affordable. As a result of these incentives, Spark is able to provide electric vehicles to its customers within the range of Rs. 1.8 million to Rs. 10 million. In its fleet of vehicles powered entirely by electricity, is the world’s top-selling electric car to date: the Nissan Leaf. Released in December 2010, the Nissan Leaf is sold in 35 countries with 100,000 cars sold globally by January 2014. The brand represents 45% of the market share of worldwide pure electric vehicles sold since 2010. This five-door hatchback sold in many European countries, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong, was the first electric vehicle brand to sell over 10,000 units before it was overtaken by the Nissan Leaf. Launched in 2013 – and available now at Spark – the BMW i3 has gone on to sell 11,000 units worldwide by January this year. With its principal markets in the US and Europe, the BMW i3 was selected as a finalist in several car awards including the 2012 Green Car Vision Award and the 2014 World Car Awards. It also won the Car Design of the Year Award at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show. While maintenance costs for electric vehicles are minimal to non-existent, Spark employs a group of qualified engineers, who have the expertise to manage and service any brand of electric vehicle. These vehicles entail no gasoline costs and alternatively only a minimal cost on electricity. The car can be plugged into any 250 Volt electrical outlet and be fully charged in 5 hours, after which it can be driven for up to 250km. A single charge costs Rs. 550. Additionally, Spark installs solar panels for customers who would like to charge their cars using solar power. In a bid to make electric cars even more accessible and thereby further contributing to environmental conservation, Spark plans to manufacture electric vehicles in Sri Lanka in the coming months.