Go to our How It Works webpage.
How much does it cost?
Go to our Rates page.
What qualifications do I need to drive Spark?
Go to our Sign-up page.
What are the rules & policies for driving Spark?
Go to our Policies page.
How do I drive Spark?
Review the Driver’s Manual.
Our Hyundai Kona is fully electric and drives very much like a conventional automatic gas-powered vehicle. It offers the added convenience of a one pedal driving option with regenerative braking. You can set the level of braking with small paddles on the steering wheel. In this mode, it’s possible to drive without ever touching the friction brake pedal, maximizing range and control. This method gives you a smooth and easy driving experience after giving yourself a few minutes to get used to it. You still use the regular brake pedal if you need more rapid braking (e.g. in an emergency).
If you prefer the Kona to operate like a standard vehicle, you have the option to drive in D mode without engaging the regenerative paddles.
Charging through regeneration is quite efficient, drastically increasing the range of the vehicle by as much as 80%. The more hills you drive down, the greater the increase.
Push the little button at the top of the shift lever to go into Park.
How do I charge Spark?
We always try to ensure our Spark Kona is charged up and ready to hit the road so in most cases you shouldn’t have to charge Spark near the start of your journey.
Spark batteries last longer in warmer temperatures than in colder temperatures. You can expect to have up to 400km of range in the summer, and 220km in the dead of winter.
If you take Spark out for a longer trip, you will need to stop to recharge at one of the public charging stations available. There are many different charging options now (Flo, Electrify Canada, BC Hydro, Chargepoint etc), and the cost of recharging outside of the Spark home base will be your responsibility. Find a charging station along your journey. Many require an app membership, but many now will just take a credit card.
Our Hyundai Kona accepts the universal connector on every standard Level 2 charging station, which adds about 40 km of range per hour depending on the level of charge. The charge port is located on the front side of the car. After plugging in, look for the charge light indicator on the front of the window, or on the dashboard to ensure charging has started.
You can also use the DC fast charging network to charge at a much faster rate. You will need to flip down the cover on the charge port to accept the DC fast charging cable. There are currently 2 fast charging stations nearby: one in Radium Hot Springs (beside the library) and one in Canal Flats (beside the skating rink).
If you anticipate needing to charge the vehicle on your journey we suggest you sign up with flo and Charge Hub and get their apps on your phone. You can also order a flo card as backup.
It is recommended to charge to a maximum of 80%, especially when fast charging, for better battery performance and more efficient charge times. Once the battery gets to 80% charging speed will drastically decrease as it fills the top end of the battery.
How far will Spark go before I need to recharge?
Spark batteries last longer in warmer temperatures than in colder temperatures. You can expect to have up to 400km of range in the summer, and 220 km in the dead of winter. We recommend planning ahead, and charging as you go so you don’t get close to ’empty’. There are hundreds of charging stations in the region, and most are free of charge to use! Find charging stations along your journey to top up your charge.