Dave Hackman
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2000
- Messages
- 173
This is an interesting documentary about the life and death of the American built electric car. California had just passed a mandate stating that manufacturers who sold cars within their state had to have a percentage of new vehicles with zero emissions. This was passed in order to do something about the piss poor air quality that was becoming out right dangerous to inhale. Auto manufactures were not pleased being told this but begrudgingly set out to produce a totally gasoline free electric vehicle.
EV1 was the name of their electric vehicle and it was first ready for consumption in 1996 on a lease basis only. It was a real struggle to obtain one of these vehicles due to the limited amount created. Potential owners were placed on a waiting list then scrutinized to determine their worthiness. Tom Hanks was one of the big celebrities who got his hands on one as did the Road Warrior himself Mel Gibson.
The vehicle was initially designed to travel about 60 miles before it required charging. It was determined that this fit approximately 90 percent of people’s daily needs. With the use of a better-built battery, it was able to exceed this limitation soon after its initial rollout.
Although things were going well for the electric car with owners extremely satisfied with their neat gasless vehicles, it was not making many in the car manufacturing & oil business too pleased. The fear of an oil-less vehicle, which required few high profit replacement parts was simply not acceptable to their bottom line and so began the push for elimination.
Lawyers from the manufacturers began a battle in the courts on the legality of this zero emission mandate. Eventually George Bush’s administration felt the need to jump aboard the lawsuit, which isn’t that surprising considering his family background. The manufactures began the spin campaign about the lack of interest and the hardship endured in creation, which if other states began adopting a likewise policy and they did could lead them to potential bankruptcy.
Those against the electric car began campaigning on what they considered a better technology, Hydrogen. The best attribute this technology provided over electric was its inability to be ready for at least 10 to 15 years. It has an unbelievable high cost to produce and has horrible reliability. Just what the doctor ordered when you still have plenty of oil and parts to profit from.
In 2003, California dissolved its own emission free mandate and the funeral for the EV1 was set. The manufactures began collecting all leased vehicles. Even those who loved their car and who were willing to pay whatever the cost to keep them were declined and one by one they were collected for extermination. At the time, people didn’t know what would happen to their former cars but soon after reports and video showed, EV1’s crushed and shredded.
I found the topic of this film to be quite interesting but its presentation was mediocre at best. It didn’t appear polished with top-notch graphics or narration. It actually felt a bit like a 60 minutes episode. I don’t know how you would make it any better but it wasn’t dare I say electrifying. Nevertheless the information was interesting and definitely worth investing my time to see.
B
EV1 was the name of their electric vehicle and it was first ready for consumption in 1996 on a lease basis only. It was a real struggle to obtain one of these vehicles due to the limited amount created. Potential owners were placed on a waiting list then scrutinized to determine their worthiness. Tom Hanks was one of the big celebrities who got his hands on one as did the Road Warrior himself Mel Gibson.
The vehicle was initially designed to travel about 60 miles before it required charging. It was determined that this fit approximately 90 percent of people’s daily needs. With the use of a better-built battery, it was able to exceed this limitation soon after its initial rollout.
Although things were going well for the electric car with owners extremely satisfied with their neat gasless vehicles, it was not making many in the car manufacturing & oil business too pleased. The fear of an oil-less vehicle, which required few high profit replacement parts was simply not acceptable to their bottom line and so began the push for elimination.
Lawyers from the manufacturers began a battle in the courts on the legality of this zero emission mandate. Eventually George Bush’s administration felt the need to jump aboard the lawsuit, which isn’t that surprising considering his family background. The manufactures began the spin campaign about the lack of interest and the hardship endured in creation, which if other states began adopting a likewise policy and they did could lead them to potential bankruptcy.
Those against the electric car began campaigning on what they considered a better technology, Hydrogen. The best attribute this technology provided over electric was its inability to be ready for at least 10 to 15 years. It has an unbelievable high cost to produce and has horrible reliability. Just what the doctor ordered when you still have plenty of oil and parts to profit from.
In 2003, California dissolved its own emission free mandate and the funeral for the EV1 was set. The manufactures began collecting all leased vehicles. Even those who loved their car and who were willing to pay whatever the cost to keep them were declined and one by one they were collected for extermination. At the time, people didn’t know what would happen to their former cars but soon after reports and video showed, EV1’s crushed and shredded.
I found the topic of this film to be quite interesting but its presentation was mediocre at best. It didn’t appear polished with top-notch graphics or narration. It actually felt a bit like a 60 minutes episode. I don’t know how you would make it any better but it wasn’t dare I say electrifying. Nevertheless the information was interesting and definitely worth investing my time to see.
B
You can read about MIT's breakthrough at this web site:
