SAN FRANCISCO – General Motors began revealing details about its Spark EV, in advance of the electric vehicle’s debut at the LA Auto Show, which it showed at the GM Electrification Experience in San Francisco. The automaker said the Spark EV will feature a fast-charging capability, and provided details about its charging station technology.

The Spark EV will feature a more than 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which will have a warranty of eight years/100,000 miles, and is capable of handling multiple DC fast charges daily. GM said a user can also charge the vehicle in less than seven hours using a dedicated 240V charge. A 120V charge cord is standard with the vehicle, according to GM. The automaker added that a driver can remotely manage and monitor charging using an OnStar smartphone application specific to the Spark EV. More than 75% of the Spark EV’s electric propulsion technology actually descends from the Volt’s and GM’s hybrid truck program, the automaker noted.

For charging, GM plans to offer an industry-first SAE combo charger for the Spark, which allows DC fast charging of up to 80% of the vehicle’s full charge in approximately 20 minutes.

GM plans to manufacture the Spark EV’s motor and drive unit at GM’s transmission plant in White Marsh, Md., near Baltimore starting in early 2013. According to the automaker, this is the first time a U.S. auto manufacturer has built a complete electric motor and drive unit for a modern electric vehicle in the United States.