Who Killed the Electric Car?

I borrowed this film from my local library and was impressed -- the film goes through the history of the electric car and proceeds to tell the tragic story of GM's EV1, in the end convincing the viewer of the conspiracy by the oil companies to destroy the EV1, as it threatened their profits. I enjoyed the film so much that I decided to buy a copy of the DVD for my father & mother so that they could watch it.

This is an awesome DVD that fills in the blanks about the EV1 for those of us who don't remember it, who never got to drive it, and who wondered what happened to it.

It almost seemed a little too good to be true... a car that runs on 100% electricity, has zero emissions and can go as fast as any combustion engine car. As I was watching this documentary, I was trying to figure out what some of the main drawbacks were because with any new technology, there are always going to be unforseen problems and concerns. I do believe that the oil companies and car manufacturers definately have lots to lose in the wide spread sale of electric cars but there are issues with the practicality of these electric cars as well. For examble... it takes about 8 hours to charge them so you'd have to make sure you don't travel too far without having it fully charged. From the looks of them, they required a specialized plug for charging, not a standard household plug.

All issues aside, we are about to see a re-emirgence of the electric car. Today, people can have their Priuses modified to become plug-in hybrids. Both GM and Chevy plan to release fully electric and plug-in electric hybrids as soon as 2010. It seem as though all of the problems with the EV1 have been eliminated. Some have suggested that the electric cars will force us to build more power plants. From my understanding, they have hybrid solar cars which will be available soon.

This is a must watch documentary which gets us thinking about how big businesses run everything and will do everything they can to protect their assets. After watching this video, you'll understand why the new electric cars will be so expensive. Also, you'll understand why most of them will not be fully electric, but electric/gas hybrids.

A great movie about electric vehicles with the potential to create a revolution that would improve everyone's lives here in USA and across the globe. Also a perfect example of how the power, control and influence of a few big corporations and interests over our government put their interests before the benefit of the population of the earth.
This movie is very informative as well as fun; A very good quality production that everyone should watch!

This is an excellent quality DVD movie. Production is superb and the story makes a lot of sense. It's really amazing that GM decided to kill the best thing since sliced bread (i.e., the EV-1 Electric Car). If you never believed in conspiracies, then perhaps after viewing this production you'll think again. The EV-1 was a revolutionary success in 1996 (lead acid batteries or not), but when the batteries were upgraded along with its electronic package, there was no excuse for canceling this product. Stunning that each Lease holder of one of these vehicles was NOT given the opportunity to buy their car from GM at any price. Instead, GM called all EV-1 lease holders and told them to surrender their beloved vehicles. After their vehicles were surrendered to GM dealers, the vehicles were rapidly taken to the desert proving grounds where they were all crushed and chopped to pieces. I know it's unbelievable, but it's documented. And whether this vehicle could go only 65 miles or over 100 miles is a moot point. 90% of all drivers could do their daily commutes with a vehicle that is capable of traveling only 60 miles a day (double that if the vehicle could be re-charged at work). Hybrid vehicles are no where near as efficient as the 1996 GM EV-1. General Motors knows this and they knew it then - when they canceled the line after 2000. No gas, no oil filters, no engine to overhaul, no tune-ups, only a battery to re-charge and tires.

Who wants to bet that GM and the oil companies saw a great empowerment of the public with this vehicle, finally being able to wean itself off of gasoline and oil. GM & Big Oil said no way my friend, canceled the EV-1 product line never to be seen again.

GM deserves whatever comes its way for being so asinine about taking this vehicle away from those who loved it. It would have been the example for future generation vehicles, and our country would be significantly less dependent on foreign oil. I'll never figure out how greed can effect judgment that compromises the good of so many Americans.

GM & Big Oil - You both ought to be ashamed of yourself. Electric was - and is the way to go. Hybrid is a compromise that keeps the oil companies and spare parts manufacturers happy. That way, you'll have to buy every type of part that is imaginable.

Shame on you GM. Big Oil, your greed is quite unbelievable.