The Electric Vehicles 1 (EV1s)
In the 1990s Americans continued their concerns about the environment and gas consumption. People started to become interested in alternative vehicles and were called “electric car advocates”.
These advocates worked to encouraged the passage of strict California Environmental Protection Agency Zero Emission Vehicles (CARB ZEV) regulations in the early 1990s (30).
Mandating automobile manufactures to have 10% of all cars they sell in California to have zero emission by 2003 (23).
These advocates worked to encouraged the passage of strict California Environmental Protection Agency Zero Emission Vehicles (CARB ZEV) regulations in the early 1990s (30).
Mandating automobile manufactures to have 10% of all cars they sell in California to have zero emission by 2003 (23).
(ev1.org)
In 1996 General Motors leased 40 electric cars (named the EV1s) to interested people in California (20,9).
The electric car advocates who leased the EV1s loved them, but GM was not happy with the program and many felt that “GM isn’t all that enthusiastic about
electrics” (25).
By 2000, < 1000 EV1s were successfully leased. GM blamed lack of public interest to support further EV1 development, while others felt GM’s exclusive leasing agreement and lack of advertising contributed to this problem (25).
Many felt GM’s advertisements for the EV1 were disturbing or told little about the cars, as can be seen below....
The electric car advocates who leased the EV1s loved them, but GM was not happy with the program and many felt that “GM isn’t all that enthusiastic about
electrics” (25).
By 2000, < 1000 EV1s were successfully leased. GM blamed lack of public interest to support further EV1 development, while others felt GM’s exclusive leasing agreement and lack of advertising contributed to this problem (25).
Many felt GM’s advertisements for the EV1 were disturbing or told little about the cars, as can be seen below....
Some advocates felt GM worked to reverse the strict CARB ZEV regulations (16,23), although there are many reasons for theEV1 failure (16).
In 1990, gas cost $1.16gallon (down 7% from the 1980s)(22).
In 1990, gas cost $1.16gallon (down 7% from the 1980s)(22).
(theautochannel.com)
In March 2000, GM recalled 450 EV1s due to charging system failures and 2 fires (6). All of the EV1s were eventually crushed by GM, except for 5 or 6, which are now in museums (18).
(evworld.com)
In reaction to the recall electric car advocates protested and many were quoted, saying....
“She died before her time in perfect health and perhaps when she was most needed, unfortunately very few Americans had a chance to drive the electric car before it was cancelled.”
– Chris Paine, Santa Monica filmmaker (9)
“ [I will continue driving my EV1] until December, when GM will have to pry it out of my charger’s dead cold hands”
– Eric Garcetti , Hollywood area councilman (9)
The largest protest was a public funeral for the EV1 attended by 100 people at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6, 16). Unfortunately, the recall and pursuant disposal of all EV1s slowed the electric car revolution.
Regardless, these advocates continued to work together and formed organizations such as Plug in America, Go Electric Drive, and the Electric Auto Association.
“She died before her time in perfect health and perhaps when she was most needed, unfortunately very few Americans had a chance to drive the electric car before it was cancelled.”
– Chris Paine, Santa Monica filmmaker (9)
“ [I will continue driving my EV1] until December, when GM will have to pry it out of my charger’s dead cold hands”
– Eric Garcetti , Hollywood area councilman (9)
The largest protest was a public funeral for the EV1 attended by 100 people at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (6, 16). Unfortunately, the recall and pursuant disposal of all EV1s slowed the electric car revolution.
Regardless, these advocates continued to work together and formed organizations such as Plug in America, Go Electric Drive, and the Electric Auto Association.