Who Killed The Electric Car? Is A Documentary
Who Killed the Electric Car is a documentary which focuses on the origin, history, production, and relative end of the electric car. The film specifically focuses on General Motors EV1, which was produced in limited numbers in the 1990s. It also explores who is to blame for the end of these cars.
The EV1 was made available for lease in Southern California in 1997; none were available for sale. GM produced 650 in the first year and each found a leaser. More were produced over the next several years and all were leased.
When the leases were up, GM took back possession of the car, removed the batteries and tires, and crushed the car. The company refused all requests to buy the electric car or to release it. The company canceled the EV1 in 2003.
The cancellation of the program came despite positive feedback from the leasers and continued waiting lists for the cars. Even though many people wanted to buy the car, GM officials continued to say that they could never make a profit on the car before even trying to do so. The film attempts to show that there was a strong demand for the car. Who Killed the Electric Car features interviews from many famous celebrities and policymakers who leased the vehicle. They included Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Ralph Nader, and James Woolsey. Also included are interviews with engineers and technicians who worked on the EV1. The film also discusses who was to blame for the car's failure. The conclusions were that consumers, oil companies, car companies, the government, the California Air Resources Board, and the hydrogen fuel cell were all in part responsible for the EV1's downfall. The film suggests that both oil companies and car companies viewed the electric car as a threat to profits. Oil companies would lose profits from gasoline sales and car companies, it is said, were afraid that the cars would cost them money because they would need fewer expensive repairs. The film is critical of GM's decision to end the program and of the influence of other invested parties in attempting to explain why the car failed. Today, some GM officials have stated that they wished that the program had not ended the way it did. GM is now working on other alternative fuel vehicles. Who Killed the Electric Car is a good film for anyone who is interested in the development of electric cars or in the history of this failed program. You will learn about the failed program and about who contributed to its downfall.
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