The End of The EV1

       What if I told you that we could buy a comfortable car that gave off no emissions and used no gasoline, made by the reputable General Motors Corporation? Then, what would you say if I told you that this car, the GM EV1, was already designed and manufactured 457 times over by 1996 but was taken off of the market and literally destroyed?
       Who Killed The Electric Car is a documentary by Chris Paine that explores the reasons that this car was created, and ultimately, destroyed. This film makes the viewer aware of the depleted oil supply, the environmental crisis that we find ourselves in and, therefore, the pressing need for sustainable energy. The state of California even proposed a mandate in 1990, requiring all automobile manufacturers to offer one zero emissions model. The GM EV1 could have been the 'perfect' sustainable car. It ran with no emissions for up to 100 miles on a single charge and had all of the interior features that consumers have come to expect in new cars. However, even after production, this car was never available on the market beyond a brief stint of leases that ended up being repossessed and literally crushed.  What happened?
     The film discusses the multiple factors that played a role in the death of the electric car. One theory is that big oil companies were nervous about the threat it would make to their industry. Another theory is that a lack of consumer interest for the EV1, and an increase of interest in the production of the Hummer, showed that the general public was not ready to widely accept such a model and justify continued production.  Whether the auto industry makers, the big oil companies, or even consumers are to blame for the death of the electric car, one thing is clear. Now 6 years after the release of this documentary, and 12 years after the death of the sustainable EV1, it is now time for a solution. We have drilled and used more oil, have released tons upon tons of toxic emissions into the air that we breathe and are settling for buying and driving cars that are far from ideal.
      While this film was a lot of facts and not necessarily entertaining, I found it to be very helpful and eye-opening. It made me think about the choices I make as a consumer and as someone who drives and will support the automotive industry, probably for the rest of my life. Viewing and discussing this film encouraged me to be a responsible citizen in regards to my buying and driving habits.

   1. Why should we be concerned about oil today when we still have it readily available to us at gas stations all over town?
   2. Does America pay its fair share in gas prices?
   3. How much would you be willing to pay for a car such as the EV1? Would you consider driving it at all?