It was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors crush its fleet of EV1 electric vehicles in the Arizona desert?
From the movie’s official website:
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? chronicles the life and mysterious death of the GM EV1, examining its cultural and economic ripple effects and how they reverberated through the halls of government and big business.
The year is 1990. California is in a pollution crisis. Smog threatens public health. Desperate for a solution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) targets the source of its problem: auto exhaust. Inspired by a recent announcement from General Motors about an electric vehicle prototype, the Zero Emissions Mandate (ZEV) is born. It required 2% of new vehicles sold in California to be emission-free by 1998, 10% by 2003. It is the most radical smog-fighting mandate since the catalytic converter.
With a jump on the competition thanks to its speed-record-breaking electric concept car, GM launches its EV1 electric vehicle in 1996. It was a revolutionary modern car, requiring no gas, no oil changes, no mufflers, and rare brake maintenance (a billion-dollar industry unto itself). A typical maintenance checkup for the EV1 consisted of replenishing the windshield washer fluid and a tire rotation.
But the fanfare surrounding the EV1’s launch disappeared and the cars followed. Was it lack of consumer demand as carmakers claimed, or were other persuasive forces at work?
Fast forward to 6 years later… The fleet is gone. EV charging stations dot the California landscape like tombstones, collecting dust and spider webs. How could this happen? Did anyone bother to examine the evidence? Yes, in fact, someone did. And it was murder.
The electric car threatened the status quo. The truth behind its demise resembles the climactic outcome of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express: multiple suspects, each taking their turn with the knife. WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? interviews and investigates automakers, legislators, engineers, consumers and car enthusiasts from Los Angeles to Detroit, to work through motives and alibis, and to piece the complex puzzle together.
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? is not just about the EV1. It’s about how this allegory for failure—reflected in today’s oil prices and air quality—can also be a shining symbol of society’s potential to better itself and the world around it. While there’s plenty of outrage for lost time, there’s also time for renewal as technology is reborn in WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?
I find it mind-boggling that GM has the capabilities of producing such a perfect car, and yet they’re not doing so. I’m sure this goes for all car manufacturers. Even worse, they’re acting like they still don’t know how to do it. They parade their 30mpg cars around like they’ve made some great leap in auto technology. Too bad the Ford Model-T got 25 miles per gallon. Okay sure, the Model T didn’t have to provide power for A/C, surround-sound stereos, GPS, etc. But still, it’s 2006, come on.
For sixteen years they could have been making these cars! It’s certainly not a lack of demand, I definitely can’t buy that rationale. I mean really, gas is $2.85/gal these days and maintenance costs can easily drain one’s savings account (if you’re lucky enough to have one.) Who wouldn’t buy one of these??! No gas, no oil changes, no emissions. Your eco-footprint would practically disappear. Global Warming– what’s that? You’d think GM would be pumping these out like crazy trying to save their company. Last I heard they weren’t doing so hot…
There has to be tremendous pressure by the gas and maintenance industries that’s keeping them from moving on this. I have to wonder what GM is getting from them that’s worth more than becoming the #1 auto manufacturer in the world? Is this simply another case of humans having the capabilities to save our future (and the planet’s) but choosing money instead? How sad. It’ll be hard to enjoy being rich when you can’t breathe outside anymore without an oxygen mask. Our greed will ultimately become the end of us, and we deserve it if we don’t stand up and speak out against it.
It’s a fascinating story, and I can’t wait to see the documentary. I’m still on the lookout for local showings. Yahoo! Movies says it’s not showing in Columbus yet, but the movie’s official site says it opened at the Drexel Gateway theatre on August 11th which was this past Friday.. however it’s not listed on Drexel’s site at all so I’m doubting this. I’ll keep my eyes open and update this post when I find any local release info.
Here are some links relating to the documentary:
Update 09/03/06:
The movie is now showing at the Drexel Gateway Theater!
