Who Killed the Electric Car?

Today, we see hybrid vehicles on a daily basis, and we see the campus electric cars on most days as well. But why do we not see fully electric vehicles on the road on a daily basis? Many people have been saying that the reason for this is that electric vehicles are not possible. However, that assumption can be proving wrong by taking a look at the 2006 documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" In this video, we can see that electric cars, in particular, the EV1, produced by General Motors, and discontinued in 1999.

The film basically takes an overview of how the first mass produced electric was made possible, and how and why it was discontinued. Initially, the car was powered by using electric stations, similar to gas stations. Across California, the stations were being set up, and it seemed as if a future of completely electric cars was in near sight.

This whole thing relates with Pop Culture because pop culture is what essentially killed what was the original electric car.

General Motors produced the EV1 successfully, but set themselves up for failure. Oil companies were furious that their business would be taken, and essentially made a deal with General Motors. GM, through poor marketing, planned to show California that an electric car was not in demand. Through multiple facets of government and monopolistic oil companies, the EV1 was recalled from all owners. Not only were all of these electric cars compiled and recalled, but GM went further by actually crushing all but a few of the cars, leaving only a few for museums and universities.

Many of the drivers and owners of the EV1 got together and even offered 1.9 million dollars in exchange for letting them keep their cars, and GM never responded, and continued in their efforts to destroy all of them.

The movie is really cool, especially for people interested in politics and also for people who like to learn about environmentally-friendly ideas.