An Inconvenient Car

SJ Mercury News ^ | July 7, 2006 | Glenn Whipp

[wouldntbprudent]

DOCUMENTARY SLAMS GENERAL MOTORS FOR PULLING THE PLUG ON GAS-SAVING EV1

As befits its title, ``Who Killed the Electric Car?'' begins with a funeral, a mock one, held at a real cemetery. It ends with an inquiry, one that implicates oil companies, auto manufacturers, the federal government, the California Air Resources Board and, yes, even you and me for murder of an automobile that looks like a winner in these days of high gas prices.

There were several makes of electric cars, but Chris Paine's trenchant documentary focuses primarily on General Motors' EV1. Launched in 1996, the car was fast and quiet, ran without exhaust, required no gas or oil changes and was so popular that dealers kept a waiting list with tens of thousands of names.

But then GM took the cars off the road, recalling all the EV1s, which had been leased, without the option to buy, to customers. These included Hollywood A-listers such as Mel Gibson, who is interviewed here in his wild-eyed ``Apocalypto'' glory. Paine himself drove an EV1, and like most of those who tried it, really wanted to keep the car. GM didn't offer him the choice. So he decided to learn why, and ``Who Killed the Electric Car?'' is the result.

[tripR6]

I read on fark it cost something like $3mil per car all things considered. yea, no wonder they canned it. they do want to make a profit, after all.

[HangnJudge]

Vastly more useful and fun
is a motorscooter

Who needs an electric when you have twice the range
and no parking problems with a

[Thebaddog]

Does anybody know what Algore has been driving lately? What is his carbon tag?

[satchmodog9]

Al Gore and eloquent are not to be used in the same sentence.

[wouldntbprudent]

I thought I read somewhere that Algore is driving an SUV, but don't quote me on that.

It probably was Tipper's SUV anyway.

[dr huer]

I recall it contained half a ton of lead-acid batteries. I am sure I wouldn't want to be riding in one that got involved in a collision.

[redangus]

I actually had the pleasure of driving an EV1 back in 1996. While it had many shortcomings, such as cost and range, it was a neat little car. It accelerated well, was quiet and comfortable for two people. It could have been a nice commuter car if it could have been manufactered at a reasonable price.

[AntiGuv]

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[BlueOneGolf]

Nice. And definitely a fuel saver...but here's my two wheeled preference:

2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT

Fuel injection, belt drive, big-brother Vulcan 2000 styling and 45 MPG!!*

Take THAT SUV's!

*-Attractive female not included.

[keithtoo]

They have been making them for many years, but only for rich, golfing Pubbies.

[Hazcat]

I ride a 1994 Virago 1100 (bought new). Shaft drive.

[Squawk 8888]

I'm with you there, FRiend. My Vino 125 is cheaper to use than public transit, even when insurance is factored in. Gasoline costs me about 3 cents per kilometre :-D

[MarkeyD]

I've ridden in an EV1. It only got 75 miles to the charge.

[bitt]

'Does anybody know what Algore has been driving lately? What is his carbon tag?'

from dougfromupland

[The Great RJ]

Imagine in California, where electric supplies aren't adequate to prevent periodic rolling blackouts, if even 10% of the cars on the road were rechargeable electrics.

[uglybiker]

Who Killed the Electric Car?

Who else?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

isn't French the language of Luxembourg?

[greasepaint]

This is multiple crap.

First of all, Honda had electric cars, just like GM,
the cars were crushed, of course, Honda did not sell the cars in Japan, with Japan's high gas cost.

an electric car with 75 mile range would have many uses,
of course, various state gov'ts would do anything
to stop the electric car.

[Khurkris]

Here's one I've been riding for 2 years come August