What a F@#king waste. We could have been selling electric cars to the world. We had a start in 1994, GM, the Goverment and yes the people to didn't care. So here we are in 2010 virtualy little manufacturing left in the US, most exported to 3rd world countries, Our economy is on life support, uneployment U6 is almost 20%, We import 70% of our Oil, We are at war for oil.
It all could have been much different but people didn't really care about electric cars. Well people you are fucked now.
@mhenderson1904 NO Its NOT. GM sold out to Big oil, and when this happened our government gave people incentives to BY Hummers, Yukon, suburbans and Escalade so that GM investment in over sized vehicles would sell. yes the government had a role, but its the private company that sold American innovation to the oil company; not the government.
GM's decission to drop the EV1 didn't just affect the USA but most of the world also has been affected. Negative publicity about EV's and patent abuse have resulted in EV failure. Hybrids are a cop out.
The car is fully electric, NO EMISSIONS AT ALL! You can go up to 120 miles on a charge in the last version before GM crushed all of them. (because of big oil)
@crazyfooInc totally agree with you, and i am not saying GET RID OF GAS BURNING VEHICLE. all i wont; just like most people i am assuming is a second alternative to GAS. I would not take the EV-1 cross country to see granny, but i would use it to take my kids to school and shuttle back ad forth to work. And while it sits at home it could be charging, or at work it could be charging. whats also wired is the batteries are cheaper than those of "Hybrid Vehicles" WTF and this was almost 14 years ago
@EminemBeastFan24 well whats wrong with electric vehicle? Did you know that the UNIVERSAL currency of energy is electricity, because it can be produced in so many ways. Buy the way, i would love to have a hybrid and a electric car. Have you ever heard of the Tesla roadster? its proof that electric cars are the way of the future until something better come along; Not Hybrids
@warcraftfan7013 NO they are mostly gone. Prob a few at university's designated by GM and 1 or 2 in Museums. So i would guesstimate about 5-10 world wide if not less
Wow... some of you eco-crusaders are a bit obsessed. Yes, I think GM needed to move this direction for a sustainable business model.
Yes, I like clean vehicles... but omg, people calm down. When I read things like "The Oil Company" (cause there's only one or something)..
GM does employ a lot of hardworking Americans... so remember that when you get emo enviro angst and want to ruin America's auto industry. You should find no satisfaction in the failures of GM... thier mistakes cost us all.
GM mandated that the infrastructure be built to support the cars, built the cars themselves, but fought the mandate the entire time, crushing the cars in the end. Since hydrogen-powered cars are a myth that will likely never come true, this was an excellent way to stay environmentally and economically responsible until such technology ever becomes viable.
Instead, the entire program was scrapped, wasting untold millions of dollars to prove the point that GM refuses to do as it's told.
Envision this: European clean diesel with hybrid technology. Tell me we can't get amazing emissions and 120MPG. What a change that would make! I wish we (as in you and I) had the resources to revive the EV. If for no other reason than to provide the platform to those who want it. I love my sports cars, but I would def have an EV in my lineup.
well, your right, they are also not interested in selling out on there cheap technologies also, and the reson we have a prius today is only because GM made the EV1 in the first place, so i totally agree in your opineon saying the japanese and european car manufacturers are just as wrong, but the case of GM is ever so clear! they made somtheing exellent then destroyed it. this is 100% evidence, that is not as apperant at the other manufacturers, aldoh they also dont make the car today.
eazy to say... GM killed it self with that, instead of beeing a wold leader, there a world loser and a pittyfull begger at the US governement. who ever still has respect for GM, simply doesnt know the facts.
Why did Toyota and Honda Smash their EVs and opt for hybrids that dont get any better gas mileage then a diesel powered car. Prius only achieves 43mpg; the European ford focus diesel gets 65mpg. So explain why your Japanese saviors smashed their EVs, why isnt any one ridiculing them. Toyota and Nissan started producing big gas guzzles like the Tundra and Armada that only get about 15mpg, and Toyota had massive recalls that toped a million, why respect the them? Give me a rational answer.
because GM sold the nimh battery patents to the Oil Company after crushing the EV-1 and once big oil got their hand on it started suing anyone using that technolgy including toyota/honda
part of the settlement is to crush any existing vehicle new or unsold
I would love to have seen GM keep making EV-1s, but Toyota and other Japanese automakers are not innocent big oil got to them all. That is why we are still afflicted with lackluster hybrids, besides GM makes more cars the get over 30mpg then Honda and Toyota combined, and the Volt will best all Japanese cars the Ford Fusion hybrid already beat the Camry and accord hybrid.
@SSparks555 They would deff be a game changer world wide, but GM is in the pockets of Big oil as well, i kinna mad that the government didn't let the company (GM) go under, because if this car had survived i think we (Americans) would not be so dependent on oil. and maybe that pending global catastrophe in the gulf would have never happened
one example Baker Motor Vehicle company of Ohio from 1899 to 1914 Thomas Edison bought one of the first models and edison eventually went to make his own.
Studebaker in 1902, Detroit Electric in 1907 and many others
I do want to sign up for the waiting list,altho NOW it looks like ill be waiting forever...GM sucks for crushing those cars,and hell no I don't want a frikkin SUV. I'll guess ill have to do my own conversion.
I will never, EVER, buy a vehicle from GM! GM bitched and complained about how much they lost with the EV-1 program, however, every single person who leased the car was willing to pay an exorbinant price to keep their vehicle; This would have covered most of the loss. Rather than doing so, GM had all the cars crushed, say a small few for museums. WTF!? HEY GM! Have fun in bankrupcy with Hummer! Helpful hint. Hummer Hybrid with possibly more than 8mpg. I'll stick with Japanese. They last longer.
I agree with you 100% percent there, friend. I'm done with GM. I think that Chevy Volt looks like a massive vehicle too. I don't think they can really come back after years of those stupid, big, useless, redundant piles of steel they call SUV's; that you see every woman in her 40's driving to the grocery store to get a quart of milk. What a pure and complete waste. I drive a Prius.
i herd of these cars i thnk they r tite they r electric cars and then all u need to do is plug them and then go they run on sunlite need no oil so it pays it self i rather buy the EV1 instead of an car that uses oil bec ill waest all my money on oil.
How long will GM and other oil companies let it live. It's about time.
Our country has had a proud reputation of having innovative ideas and of leading in technology. Mass production of electric vehicles would free up oil for transportation of commodities, aviation fuel for the airline industry, and free up oil supplies for a strong national defense.
It was a perfect commuter car. 120 miles range is pleanty to go from suburn to city everyday. People need to really understand what they need before dishing on technology that would pleanty satisfy their need. the tdi jetta goes 1056 kms on a tank, so what, youre never gonna use it all at oonce.
i just searched the lyrics, i know its been two years latter but there you go. Oh by the way, vote for the ev1 at the Smithsonian, to be displayed again. Google search for
race-to-the-museum-vote-for-your-favorite-car , i couldn't put the who url. Sorry.
This is a sad video to see. It's just amazing to see the extent big oil will go to keep these out of our hands. I mean, they crushed these cars with a vengeance!
There was tons of demand, GM canceled the project while there were still people on waiting lists. It just cost GM twice as much as they were getting for it in lease payments (lease was constructed around a $40,000 price tag, each car cost GM $80,000). If they stuck with it, they could have had the technology ready for us today at a cost we all could afford. But they blew it and sold their NiMH EV95 battery patent to the oil industry. Now large format LI-ION is in danger of the same exact fate.
@MT22202 No it sold the American innovation to Big oil while it systematically planned on ripping people of and way to kill our planet. Wish i a electric car like the EV-1 in my garage
did you hear about the silver EV-1 someone found on google earth?
TBman256 1 year ago
The car bears an undeniable resemblence to the Oldsmobile Aurora.
moparmonster1965 1 year ago
@moparmonster1965 Maybe because Oldsmobile was owned by GM...
rustyshackleford1996 1 year ago
@rustyshackleford1996 Thanks, I'm well aware of that. I was simply pointing out that the same designer or team worked on both.
moparmonster1965 11 months ago
What a F@#king waste. We could have been selling electric cars to the world. We had a start in 1994, GM, the Goverment and yes the people to didn't care. So here we are in 2010 virtualy little manufacturing left in the US, most exported to 3rd world countries, Our economy is on life support, uneployment U6 is almost 20%, We import 70% of our Oil, We are at war for oil.
It all could have been much different but people didn't really care about electric cars. Well people you are fucked now.
valhala56 1 year ago
The Electaurus from The Simpsons!!!!!!
FanDeAlguersuari 1 year ago
ive got an original brochure for the ev1, and the impact
toronado1992trofeo 1 year ago
why did gm crushed them and how did people who bought it get there money back
WarsOfHell 1 year ago
@WarsOfHell There is one at the REO/Oldsmobile museum in lansing Michigan. There are still some sitting at museums.
Myaurora2001 1 year ago
its not gm's fault.THE GOVERNMENT IS THE ONES WHO KILLED THE EV1.
mhenderson1904 1 year ago
@mhenderson1904 NO Its NOT. GM sold out to Big oil, and when this happened our government gave people incentives to BY Hummers, Yukon, suburbans and Escalade so that GM investment in over sized vehicles would sell. yes the government had a role, but its the private company that sold American innovation to the oil company; not the government.
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
GM's decission to drop the EV1 didn't just affect the USA but most of the world also has been affected. Negative publicity about EV's and patent abuse have resulted in EV failure. Hybrids are a cop out.
nznev45 2 years ago 3
is this like to be economic friendly or something??? just go buy a better looking hybrid car/suv :P
EminemBeastFan24 2 years ago
The car is fully electric, NO EMISSIONS AT ALL! You can go up to 120 miles on a charge in the last version before GM crushed all of them. (because of big oil)
crazyfooInc 2 years ago 2
@crazyfooInc im just asking if this is a economic friendly car that they made??? jw
EminemBeastFan24 2 years ago
@crazyfooInc totally agree with you, and i am not saying GET RID OF GAS BURNING VEHICLE. all i wont; just like most people i am assuming is a second alternative to GAS. I would not take the EV-1 cross country to see granny, but i would use it to take my kids to school and shuttle back ad forth to work. And while it sits at home it could be charging, or at work it could be charging. whats also wired is the batteries are cheaper than those of "Hybrid Vehicles" WTF and this was almost 14 years ago
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
Hybrid uses gaz, which eliminates the purpose of having an electric car. Your statement was a load of shit. Sorry.
kamelot667 2 years ago 2
@EminemBeastFan24 well whats wrong with electric vehicle? Did you know that the UNIVERSAL currency of energy is electricity, because it can be produced in so many ways. Buy the way, i would love to have a hybrid and a electric car. Have you ever heard of the Tesla roadster? its proof that electric cars are the way of the future until something better come along; Not Hybrids
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
i herd that there are only 78 ev1s left in the U.S. that arent crushed
warcraftfan7013 2 years ago
@warcraftfan7013 NO they are mostly gone. Prob a few at university's designated by GM and 1 or 2 in Museums. So i would guesstimate about 5-10 world wide if not less
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
i love this car
GiUs97MiTo 2 years ago 2
Wow... some of you eco-crusaders are a bit obsessed. Yes, I think GM needed to move this direction for a sustainable business model.
Yes, I like clean vehicles... but omg, people calm down. When I read things like "The Oil Company" (cause there's only one or something)..
GM does employ a lot of hardworking Americans... so remember that when you get emo enviro angst and want to ruin America's auto industry. You should find no satisfaction in the failures of GM... thier mistakes cost us all.
ApolloXGen 2 years ago
GM mandated that the infrastructure be built to support the cars, built the cars themselves, but fought the mandate the entire time, crushing the cars in the end. Since hydrogen-powered cars are a myth that will likely never come true, this was an excellent way to stay environmentally and economically responsible until such technology ever becomes viable.
Instead, the entire program was scrapped, wasting untold millions of dollars to prove the point that GM refuses to do as it's told.
moparmonster1965 2 years ago
At 0:43. See, we all can co-exist regardless of out differences. An EV-1 next to a (then gorgeous) 12-MPG Tahoe.
Cargo1273 2 years ago
EV1 didn't sell not because people didn't want an electric car, it didn't sell because people didn't want that butt ugly car.
daedalx 2 years ago
Envision this: European clean diesel with hybrid technology. Tell me we can't get amazing emissions and 120MPG. What a change that would make! I wish we (as in you and I) had the resources to revive the EV. If for no other reason than to provide the platform to those who want it. I love my sports cars, but I would def have an EV in my lineup.
kingdomboost 2 years ago
I want a green one out of that pile! just for reference so i could have a running one eventually.
dodgecrazy1970 2 years ago
The EV-1 was truly an American revolution... unlike these little crappy econoboxes GM is trying to pawn off as American cars...
djphillips1985 3 years ago 3
So not a fan of the Aveo huh?
JohnFromSpace 2 years ago
Not really, I think the Smart actually looks better than the Aveo.
djphillips1985 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
If I wanted to look at pictures I would have gone to google. 0 stars.
bespoke1 3 years ago
Thats what this vid was about. 5 stars.
kingdomboost 2 years ago 4
well, your right, they are also not interested in selling out on there cheap technologies also, and the reson we have a prius today is only because GM made the EV1 in the first place, so i totally agree in your opineon saying the japanese and european car manufacturers are just as wrong, but the case of GM is ever so clear! they made somtheing exellent then destroyed it. this is 100% evidence, that is not as apperant at the other manufacturers, aldoh they also dont make the car today.
Arjenshenzhen 3 years ago
where is GM now ? they crushed their future with the EV-1
no wonder their falling 'Like a Rock'
they were 10 years ahead now they are over 10 years behind
emforty2 3 years ago 3
eazy to say... GM killed it self with that, instead of beeing a wold leader, there a world loser and a pittyfull begger at the US governement. who ever still has respect for GM, simply doesnt know the facts.
Arjenshenzhen 3 years ago
Why did Toyota and Honda Smash their EVs and opt for hybrids that dont get any better gas mileage then a diesel powered car. Prius only achieves 43mpg; the European ford focus diesel gets 65mpg. So explain why your Japanese saviors smashed their EVs, why isnt any one ridiculing them. Toyota and Nissan started producing big gas guzzles like the Tundra and Armada that only get about 15mpg, and Toyota had massive recalls that toped a million, why respect the them? Give me a rational answer.
fastfirebird1969 3 years ago
because GM sold the nimh battery patents to the Oil Company after crushing the EV-1 and once big oil got their hand on it started suing anyone using that technolgy including toyota/honda
part of the settlement is to crush any existing vehicle new or unsold
emforty2 2 years ago 4
I would love to have seen GM keep making EV-1s, but Toyota and other Japanese automakers are not innocent big oil got to them all. That is why we are still afflicted with lackluster hybrids, besides GM makes more cars the get over 30mpg then Honda and Toyota combined, and the Volt will best all Japanese cars the Ford Fusion hybrid already beat the Camry and accord hybrid.
fastfirebird1969 3 years ago
oil company's need to be brought to justice in front of an international court for damaging the environment on a global scale.
SKOUNDREL81 3 years ago
Very sad story of one nice car, that could
change a world :´(
altiks 3 years ago 2
The EV1 could, should, would be on the road today if GM had not crushed them.
SSparks555 3 years ago 16
@SSparks555 They would deff be a game changer world wide, but GM is in the pockets of Big oil as well, i kinna mad that the government didn't let the company (GM) go under, because if this car had survived i think we (Americans) would not be so dependent on oil. and maybe that pending global catastrophe in the gulf would have never happened
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
what secrets the original ev-1 had an electric motor and lead acid batteries then upgraded with sanyo japan nimh batteries
the first cars early 1900s were all electric not petrol driven
emforty2 3 years ago
You do realize that in the early 1900s, electricity was barely even adopted, right?
Zephippz 3 years ago 3
one example Baker Motor Vehicle company of Ohio from 1899 to 1914 Thomas Edison bought one of the first models and edison eventually went to make his own.
Studebaker in 1902, Detroit Electric in 1907 and many others
emforty2 3 years ago
Am I the only one who seriously believed that GM crushed those cars to protect company secrets for the future?
Zephippz 3 years ago
yah i think so alot of people hate the volt cuz its not as good as the ev1
sexyboi142 3 years ago 2
Nice video. Sad ending though.
edcastrovalley 3 years ago
I do want to sign up for the waiting list,altho NOW it looks like ill be waiting forever...GM sucks for crushing those cars,and hell no I don't want a frikkin SUV. I'll guess ill have to do my own conversion.
oldtilter 3 years ago 5
I will never, EVER, buy a vehicle from GM! GM bitched and complained about how much they lost with the EV-1 program, however, every single person who leased the car was willing to pay an exorbinant price to keep their vehicle; This would have covered most of the loss. Rather than doing so, GM had all the cars crushed, say a small few for museums. WTF!? HEY GM! Have fun in bankrupcy with Hummer! Helpful hint. Hummer Hybrid with possibly more than 8mpg. I'll stick with Japanese. They last longer.
tetchuma 3 years ago 5
I agree with you 100% percent there, friend. I'm done with GM. I think that Chevy Volt looks like a massive vehicle too. I don't think they can really come back after years of those stupid, big, useless, redundant piles of steel they call SUV's; that you see every woman in her 40's driving to the grocery store to get a quart of milk. What a pure and complete waste. I drive a Prius.
efb91 3 years ago 3
i herd of these cars i thnk they r tite they r electric cars and then all u need to do is plug them and then go they run on sunlite need no oil so it pays it self i rather buy the EV1 instead of an car that uses oil bec ill waest all my money on oil.
victoriiaz44secretos 3 years ago
the actual question is not, how long will
gm let it live, it´s how long is gm gonna
live.
they are complete bankrupt, cause nobody
wants to buy their monster pickup crap
anymore...
truthspeaker2000 3 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
wow...i rather walk than use that...sounds like a intercity train and looks like a old Citroen...
dumapies 3 years ago
Old Citroëns are sexy. I'd kill babies for a restored DS. Not really though...but they are sexy.
qernst8 3 years ago
ahhh,good ole G.M...build something outstanding, then destroy it...
veedubyuh82 3 years ago 4
How long will GM and other oil companies let it live. It's about time.
Our country has had a proud reputation of having innovative ideas and of leading in technology. Mass production of electric vehicles would free up oil for transportation of commodities, aviation fuel for the airline industry, and free up oil supplies for a strong national defense.
ZeroFuel31 3 years ago
It was a perfect commuter car. 120 miles range is pleanty to go from suburn to city everyday. People need to really understand what they need before dishing on technology that would pleanty satisfy their need. the tdi jetta goes 1056 kms on a tank, so what, youre never gonna use it all at oonce.
atsidlm 3 years ago 2
Love the vid and the music score. Who's the artist?
Thanks
Chicahominy 4 years ago
to tell u the truth, im not quite sure
habsruleleafsdrule 4 years ago
@Chicahominy
the song is
Friends of Lizzy-If it's Wrong
i just searched the lyrics, i know its been two years latter but there you go. Oh by the way, vote for the ev1 at the smithsonian, no kidding.
evguyohio 1 year ago
@Chicahominy
the song is
Friends of Lizzy-If it's Wrong
i just searched the lyrics, i know its been two years latter but there you go. Oh by the way, vote for the ev1 at the Smithsonian, to be displayed again. Google search for
race-to-the-museum-vote-for-your-favorite-car , i couldn't put the who url. Sorry.
evguyohio 1 year ago
This is a sad video to see. It's just amazing to see the extent big oil will go to keep these out of our hands. I mean, they crushed these cars with a vengeance!
edcastrovalley 4 years ago 4
There was tons of demand, GM canceled the project while there were still people on waiting lists. It just cost GM twice as much as they were getting for it in lease payments (lease was constructed around a $40,000 price tag, each car cost GM $80,000). If they stuck with it, they could have had the technology ready for us today at a cost we all could afford. But they blew it and sold their NiMH EV95 battery patent to the oil industry. Now large format LI-ION is in danger of the same exact fate.
diggingforgold 4 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Oh get over it. It's funny how everyone loves the car now, but back in 90s no one even talked about it.
GM wouldn't have "killed" it if there was more of a demand.
LovePontiac 4 years ago
Maybe so, but GM was a bunch of fags when they destroyed them.
adamackels 4 years ago 16
@adamackels yes I totally agree. it was the most stupidest decision htey ever made. ! GM lost its vision.
MT22202 1 year ago
@MT22202 No it sold the American innovation to Big oil while it systematically planned on ripping people of and way to kill our planet. Wish i a electric car like the EV-1 in my garage
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
@adamackels FAGS and sell outs, and now their partner (BP & all big oil ) is planning to replace our oceans with oil.
Tamayo1980 1 year ago
dude, look at the demand for electric cars today.
Nichen 4 years ago 2
Well yeah. Now that gas prices have trippled. And "going green" is apparently the new big thing.
LovePontiac 4 years ago 6
You are making things up. There was ALWAYS more demand than EV1 available.
GM makes up lies about how no one wanted them; I've encountered people who tried, who could not even get on one of the waiting lists.
liveoilfree 4 years ago 7
it was a great little car..GM was crazy
angeloaaz 4 years ago 6