If you're interested in plugging in your car rather than filling it up at the gas pump, there's an ever-increasing list of vehicles available for you. Many automakers are jumping on the electric-vehicle bandwagon, offering new models with fully electric powertrains that boast growing ranges and diminishing charge times. The 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV is one of those vehicles.

Chevrolet was an early adopter of electric power for its vehicles. The brand's 5-door Volthatchback debuted for the 2011 model year to some success, beating most rivals -- including the fully electric Nissan LEAF -- to the market, but the Volt only boasted a plug-in hybrid drivetrain at the time, rather than a fully electric powerplant. While that meant that the Volt's range was longer than a typical EV, it also meant that some shoppers -- those who never want to use gasoline -- had to look elsewhere.

As of last year, that's no longer the case. With the Spark E. V., drivers can now buy a fully electric Chevrolet, rather than a plug-in hybrid such as the Volt. They'll get an impressive 82-mile range for around $28,000 -- a longer range than the Nissan LEAF for less money. The only drawback? The Spark E. V. is currently only offered in Oregon and California, but Chevrolet says that it will soon expand the Spark's reach to many other U. S. states -- something we hope happens sooner rather than later.

What's New for 2015?

Since the Spark E. V. was all new last year, it's largely unchanged for 2015. The biggest update is a revised OnStar system and 4G Wi-Fi hot spot capability.

What We Like

Quick acceleration from a stop; strong value; good starting price; low range

What We Don't

Limited availability; no unique look like the Volt; small interior; easy volume knob replaced by buttons

How Much?

$27,800-$28,200

Fuel Economy

Because the 2015 Chevrolet Spark E. V. doesn't have a gasoline engine, it doesn't offer gas mileage in the traditional sense, but the government's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Spark E. V. at 128 miles per gallon equivalent in the city and 109 mpge on the highway. EPA's mpge rating is designed to roughly equal a fuel economy rating for a gas-powered car. According to the EPA, the Spark E. V. also returns 82 miles of range, though we think it can do even better if you drive conservatively.

Standard Features & Options

The Spark E. V. comes in just two trim varieties: the base-level 1LT and uplevel 2LT.

Choose the 1LT ($27,800), and you get a lengthy list of equipment, especially given the car's size and economical positioning. Standard items include Chevrolet's MyLinkinfotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, an AM/FM stereo, heated front seats, 15-in alloy wheels, keyless ignition and entry, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a split folding rear seat.

Drivers who step up to the 2LT ($28,200) add just two features: a leather-wrapped steering wheel and premium vinyl upholstery.

While the Spark E. V. doesn't offer many options, it does include one major accessory: a quick charger. Pay the extra $750 for that feature, and the hatchback can recharge 80 percent of its battery capacity in just 20 minutes.

Safety

Like the regular Spark, the Spark E. V. is small on size but big on safety. It includes high-tensile steel to help crash safety and torsional rigidity, 10 airbags to improve your chances of surviving a collision, and standard features such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn't tested the Spark or the Spark E. V., the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives an excellent Top Safety Pick rating to the Spark following strong performances in each of the organization's tests.

Behind the Wheel

Right out of the gate, the Spark E. V. feels fast -- especially from a dead stop -- thanks to its 400 lb-ft of torque. It may not look the part, but the Spark E. V. really pushes you back in your seat when you push down on the accelerator.

The Spark EV's electric powerplant also gives the car a refined feel; the EV model feels more substantial and better built than the standard, gas-powered Spark. Thanks to the electric motor, it's quieter and smoother, too.

We also appreciate the Spark EV's long list of standard features. Remote starting is great, as is the ability to heat or cool the car's interior while it's still plugged in -- great for climates that experience extreme temperatures.

We also really enjoy the Spark EV's confidence gauge: a meter that tells the driver how much charge is left in the battery and how many miles the car can go without recharging. The confidence gauge gives two numbers, a high and a low, along with an estimate of whether your current driving conditions are trending toward the high number or the low one. It's an excellent system that helps eliminate the range anxiety commonly associated with electric vehicles.

Other Cars to Consider

Ford Focus Electric -- The Focus Electric is larger than the Spark E. V., and it's more expensive. The Focus Electric's range is similar to the Spark EV's, and the Ford is more widely available.

Honda Fit EV -- Honda's subcompact Fit E. V. also boasts a 5-door body style and a fully electric powerplant. More importantly, it's available for sale everywhere.

Nissan LEAF -- Nissan's fully electric LEAF hatchback is slightly more expensive than the Spark E. V. Its range is shorter, but interior room is a major step up over the tiny Spark.

AutoTrader's Advice

The Spark E. V. is an excellent electric vehicle if you're looking to maximize your range for a reasonable price. We like its standard equipment, its styling, and the fact that it starts around $20,000 after federal tax rebates. Our only gripe is that it isn't available nationally, though Chevrolet says that will soon change.