General Motors has been testing prototypes of the Chevrolet Spark EV in high temperature locations. The batteries operate at peak efficiency in moderate temperatures, and so GM has designed a battery heating and cooling system. With an expected 80-mile range, the all-electric Spark will be in showrooms in 2013.

The 114 horsepower 85 KW motor will be built in Maryland; the batteries will be built in Michigan, and the car assembled in South Korea. "We are just trying to make sure that system is working perfectly before we sell it to our customers," said Kevin Kelly, manager of GM electric vehicles. Too bad we cannot get the assembly work done in the U.S. as well. Perhaps if demand is strong.