GM EV-1
So our friend Jorge sent us an email:
Guys,
I’ve just seen this movie “Who Killed the electric Car?” I was familiar with part of the story but did not have all the information presented here. It covers the period 1970 to 2005 and surveys the status of batteries, hydrogen, fuel cells, solar panel films as alternate sources of automobile fuels/sources and the role of government and car industries in their development and suppression.
If you have 1 ½ hours, please watch it. You won’t regret it. Then, make up your mind as to whether it’s bunk or truth.
Let’s talk after you see it. Watch it by clicking here.
Jorge
I’m an hour into it, and had to pause a bit. Aside from the standard global warming stuff, it is an intriguing movie. This is what I sent to Jorge:
I’ve watched 55 mins so far. This story is similar to the sad story of the Tucker automobile.
I don’t really understand the length of time it’s taking to bring out the Volt car, yet all this history exists. I’m to the part about the battery inventor.
I’m not prone to conspiracies, but this movie really bothers me. I like to think as an American, I am free, but then you see something like this, and feel manipulated…
To which he replied:
Precisely, Doug, just like the Tucker.
Keep going. The end will confirm your deduction and wonder what the hell is happening and why we are helping the auto industry survive.
Jorge
Hmm. But then, reminding us that there is more to the story, and that the premise of the film is debatable, Skip noted
I haven’t watched it yet, but it really comes down to 2 things – energy density and temperature.
Energy Density – how much power can be packed into the batteries and how much will they weigh?
Temp – how much energy is lost in very cold (think NH with -20 degree) – mileage lost.
That’s why the EV failed – no go far.
Skip
True, but as I replied,
Your points do not explain the taking of these vehicles from people that were happily using them and wished to purchase them.
To which Skip added a couple points I have not seen raised in the movie, yet:
They were losing buckets of money on them…..and did not want the warranty costs that would have been associated with them
Look, Priuses are sold at a loss…
Much of the alternative energy industry would die if the tax credits were removed (as it did in the 70s).
Batteries are alternative energy sources (ok, technically, they are carriers…but you could view oil that way to IF you say that it was photosynthesis was the source energy).
Perhaps he’s right. That still doesn’t explain the happy owners that no doubt could have signed releases or something. And the simultaneous removal from the California market by all brands seems odd. I’ll have to finish watching the movie. I’m at the part where they are discussing battery technology. I do recall reading about promising breakthoughs in this area during the years, but never really hearing (or paying attention) to the followup. If nothing else, Jorge has put us onto an interesting discussion.
If you really think about it, a car that could go 100 miles at fast speeds would be practical for many people in their day to day lives. Imagine how the technology would advance if more and more of these hit the road.
Chevy Volt