EV1 was success, GM lies about it

[rickcain2320]

@Holymancorapi

Actually, the EV-1 was just being refitted with more modern Ni-Mh battery packs when GM killed the production. The packs doubled the range and the original Delco lead-acid batteries were defective anyway.

You could imagine the EV-1 with lithium cells!

[rickcain2320]

Whats funny is in Oklahoma they were selling glorified golf carts as EV's. They were constantly sold out!

The reason is because in many communities, people realized that much of their drving was very short distances, and in smaller towns, an EV even if it was a golf cart was perfect for tooling around town.

The small EV's were so successful that the legislature backed by oil companies had pulled the subsidy in hopes of killing off these EV sellers.

[jason1973tl]

I have found that some people are anti EV. I cannot change their mind or talk sense into them. They seem to want to remain ignorant and claim the rest of us are idiots. It is very irritating.

[PhotographerMN]

Here in Minnesota, its easy to say many people have cabins. We need range! I know Coloradans need range also for getting to there Ski Resorts. I WANT AN EV WITH A 400mile RANGE!!

[deedundone]

a volt that gets 40 miles then uses gas. what a joke. the only reason i followed that story as long AS i did because i thought GM had understood that they had once been the front runners of an entire movement. now i realzize they are a shitty company, even worse than chysler because of what they did to the ev1.......i will never buy a GM. they are a joke. Yes I do need an EV with at least a range of 200 miles but that is only because I am not the average american - college commuting ect.

[deedundone]

@deedundone One day i plan to take my favorite car, The Dodge Shadow, and fully convert one, after a complete renovation, to all electric. Although I am not sure about laws or rules of converting to electric, and given that most Dodge Shadows have themselves, been crushed, it ought to be a daunting task. Anyone know the specifications or ramifications about converting to all electric on normal gas guzzling behemoths?

[rickcain2320]

@deedundone

GM has an interest in making you believe you still need gasoline.

[alexthepsyco]

do you own one EV? because if that's the case then, assuming you were to drive an electric every day, 10 years x 365 = approximately 3650 days, and 600,000 miles / 3650 days = 164 miles a day average. If you (generously) assume that you can get a 40 mile range out of each EV before charging then you would need at least 4 cars to drive that distance in a day. Last I checked the average family can barely afford two cars, gas or electric. Maybe you should check your numbers.

[diakrite]

IMHO, GM sorta scared themselves shitless when their little "project" to prove that EV had no future, backfired and became a success

Nissan and co are trying to do the same, by , hesitantly, produce EV's because their hand got forced by law.

Most EV's look like very lackluster tries to appease everyone until oilprizes drop again ,and the gullible ,stupid mass will run back to 17mpg SUV's. That's the American scenario. Europe's car-makers are somewhat more serious about EV, but only "just"..

[johnson1095]

What about people who use vans?

[csg8654]

With all the fake "grass roots" websites that the oil and big corps pay for it's no wonder people are confused about the electric car. GM would not have lost money on the EV-1 if they had made it in large quantities. Economies of scale say that if you make 100 of something it is expensive but if you make a million of them each one is far cheaper.

LiveOilFree, you are doing a great service to America by speaking the truth about the electric car and I applaud you.

[inmaryland]

There is no longer any common stock available to investors, the very people who provide the necessary capital for growth in America and the economy. What this means to you? If you own a GM vehicle, you will be buying replacement parts from good ole Uncle Sam... And, he's not going to share a dime of the profit with you!

[inmaryland]

If you're ignorant enough to think you WERE NOT robbed, think! Do you have a bank account, a retirement plan... Do you pay into Social Security, or are you a taxpayer in the United States? If you answered yes to ANY ONE of these, than you were robbed!

[inmaryland]

Current commercials on TV say that they have paid back all taxpayer funds. However, all of America was robbed when the common stock was zeroed out, and converted to that of Motors Liquidation.

[inmaryland]

GM is NOT bankrupt... They are a government entity "Government Motors."

[salcedoautberto]

chevron patent ?

[DBSpy1]

Dude,stop talking and make your own damn car company. If your cars are good,people will come. God, I cant stand people that just cry,cry,cry and do nothing to fix things.

[jrnault77]

Every week I take a trip longer then 300 miles. Yes it is for fun and other then that I only go about 38 miles round trip for work so it would be a good work car. Other then that I spend 40 dollars in gas round trip to Chicago and back about 3 hours each way.

[anonymityismyname]

Go watch the movie "who killed the electric car"

The EV1 was awesome.

Fucking capitalist assholes at GM killed it because they would have lost money.

Now they lose someone like me for life cause I will now never buy a GM car.

Thanks for ruining the envirnment just for money GM.

[cecilbdml]

60 miles in 4 hours?

Would that mean you can only go 15mph in that overhyped bumper car?

[pluginforless]

Live Oil Free, can you tell me what happened to the original Impact prototype car that Aeroviroment developed? Wikipedia does not state what happened to it.

[pluginforless]

Wikipedia also states "The program was known as PrEView, and organized by GM's Sean McNamara.[11] Volunteers had to own a garage where a high-current charging unit could be installed by an electric company.[14] McNamara expected at most eighty volunteers in the Los Angeles area, but was forced to close the phone lines after 10,000 people called in."

"The Impact was a hit with consumers; but according to some, GM was less than pleased with the prospect of a successful electric car."

[pluginforless]

Live Oil Free, I was reading about the EV1 program on Wikipedia that stated GM  had a consumer study program prior to the launch of the EV1 in 1996 known as "PrEView" Wikipedia goes on to state. "In 1994, GM debuted 50 hand-built Impacts to use in a consumer study. The cars would be lent to drivers for periods of one to two weeks, under the agreement that their experiences would be logged; the program was known as PrEView, After PrEView ended, GM destroyed all 50 of the cars."

[liveoilfree]

The fact that the EV1 would not suit EVERYONE is no justification for stopping ANYONE from buying one. After all, the Corvette, Miata, etc., are all specialized vehicles; not everyone wants a Viper, Bob Lutz's behemoth.

[bg1379]

Finally, let me just clarify something- I am very pro- electric cars and pro- hybrids. It is just my belief that no car company (which is loyal only to stockholders) should be forced to continue making a car that they do not want to make anymore- whatever the reason may be. They did not "kill the electric car" (they are on the forefront of bringing it back to the masses), they just waited until technology caught up!

[CI9TK]

Range is also solved now. Electric Vehicles can have their batteries swapped out in less time than it takes to fill a small car's fuel tank. The video response is included above. Check it out.

[cecilbdml]

I cannot believe the ignorance of this thread...

Batteries NEVER have had the energy density of hydrocarbon fuels.

You very same people were the folks warning everyone about the DANGERS of batteries filling up landfills, due to the heavy metals and toxic pastes used in them.

Now the limited-range, change your life to suit it EV is the FUTURE?!

Sorry, liveoilfree, but hydrocarbon is still the winner. Whether through biofuel or straight H2, it whomps any EV.

[liveoilfree]

Sorry, you're WRONG. The value of any fuel depends on the "mission"; if your mission is to drive 500 miles per day, that's one thing; if it's to drive the daily grind that's another. Actually, 100 to 200 miles all-electric range is plenty; use a range-extender or take a TRAIN for longer trips.

[liveoilfree]

PS, batteries are almost all recycled, except for Lithium; lead or nickel batteries form an "urban minefield" for recycling, you just melt them down and reform them into new batteries. Landfills?? What's that got to do with the EV1???

[cecilbdml]

'Core charge' is what a company spends to dispose of the heavy metals and hydrolytic fluid/paste in a battery. That hasn't changed, nor has their final destination.

Sorry, but they still end up in landfills. The only things recycled are the plastic and aluminum used in the case. What that has to do with the EV is, most cars today use ONE lead/acid battery. EVs use at least ten. Normal cars keep their battery for at least four years. EVs change theirs out after little more than one.

[bg1379]

Your assumption that more than a handful of people could have benefited from the EV is very, very misguided. First, there are very few people who never travel more than 50 miles from their homes (as the range is 100 miles). Second, most people AREN'T RICH ENOUGH to own and insure two cars, OBVIOUSLY. That's where the Volt comes in. Finally, ARE YOU REALLY TOO IGNORANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT no company would take a ''hit' that would change history, and just cancel the program?! You are a wacko!

[liveoilfree]

BG, you are wrong on fact and wrong on policy. The EV1 had an EPA certified range of 140 per charge (still have the card) but would go 160 in a pinch; and you could plug it in anywhere with a small add-on charger. Most people on my block have more than one car per person; look around you. As a policy, we don't want people commuting more than 100 miles in a car, anyway.

[giantquesadilla]

I agree. We have 3 cars in our household. None of us drive more than 100 miles in a day, except for a few times a year. And most of the time we actually take our EV on long trips! The longest trip we've taken this year was 260 miles and we did it without a drop of oil. We simply charged while we were at the party!

We fight over the EV and it's always being driven and it has NEVER run out of juice on the road. Most people who see the car want one, but can't get one. There's a huge demand!

[bg1379]

First, I'd hope you wouldn't go up to a rest stop and steal their electricity. Second, I am talking about single people. Third, anyone in their right mind would not push the boundaries of the 140 mile mark. Fourth, GM IS A BUSINESS, NOT AN ORGANIZATION!! THEIR LOYALTY IS NOT TO ENVIRONMENTALISTS, IT IS TO THE STOCKHOLDERS!- facts that you need to get in your head.

And, finally, please look up the word "policy" - the incorrect use of a word that simple detracts greatly from your argument.

[liveoilfree]

BG, you are an ignoramus, with respect. We don't go to rest stops to steal electric, dummy!! Where did you get that?? We do to RV parks, where every spot has electric. GM is not a business; it's BANKRUPT.

Read the papers sometimes, you might learn something; and curb those wild assumptions.

[bg1379]

"GM is not a business; it's BANKRUPT"

That concludes our conversation. All seemingly obvious rebuttals aside, the bankruptcy has nothing to do with the time period where the EV1 was sold.

And, finally, I don't care if you spend your whole life on Long Island, but in the rest of the world people drive more than 160 miles at a time. Obviously. I mean, what are you going to do at the end of your journey?! Rent a car for $40/ night 160 miles from home?!

There are just so many gaps in your logic.

[liveoilfree]

BG, "there you go again!". Actually, we live in the heart of the car-culture SoCal region, and drive more than 20,000 miles per year (formerly more than 40,000). GM WENT BANKRUPT BECAUSE OF STUPID ACTIONS SUCH AS CRUSHING THE EV1 INSTEAD OF SELLING IT.

Yes, GM drove us to Toyota, which was happy to take our money and sell us the best EV ever made, the Toyota RAV4-EV, which we still drive to this day.

[idontcare80]

@bg1379 I don't know ANYONE who drives 160 miles a day. Most people I know drive 20 to 40 miles a day AT THE MOST. The two or three people I know who drive a pretty good long way, everyday, drive about 60-80 miles a day and they live quite a good distance out of the city.

[liveoilfree]

BG, obviously, you have never driven an EV; you are probably a GM clone, maybe even an ignoramus like Bob Lutz. Yes, sometimes we DO drive an EV to empty; once, from King City to Salinas, we pushed the EV1 to 160 miles range; it would have gone farther! But so far, I've never run out of electric in an EV, nor to my knowledge has anyone else who has actually driven one over long distance. But : THESE EVS WERE DESIGNED FOR THE DAILY GRIND!! Driving for long-distance, it's just for fun.

[cecilbdml]

I'd have to disagree.

The 'mission' of any private transportation is to be FLEXIBLE enough to allow the individual INDEPENDENCE. That means at least 200 miles' range, easily available means of refueling, and relatively LOW cost.

You're still falling into the trap of using your own opinion as the standard by which everyone else should design their lives. I still feel folks should make their own schedules up, as THEY see fit.

[sheltomlee]

The newer batteries with the EV1 or 2 would have put the range at around 300 miles from what I understand. Still, I would have liked to purchase one because my commute is only about 30 miles a day. What a shame.

[coalandnuclear]

they where never worth anything they were never forsell. also what if you have to go somewhere after work. or you want to travel. rent a car? buy another car? we shouldnt have to.

[liveoilfree]

No one who drives an EV complains about the range-- why should it bother someone ignorant of Electric cars? Stick to your nuke reactor, don't try to understand reality.

[cecilbdml]

Most of the folks driving it, already had an agenda associated with it. The normal public, who may have seen or heard of these things, couldn't have cared less.

The only thing that killed the car was the 'potential owners' who didn't want to get stuck with the liability of insuring an 'experimental' car, rather than having GM pay the due. These owners didn't have anywhere they needed to drive themselves (mostly celebs), so range wouldn't have been an issue.

Context, sir...

[Emotionengne]

Its sad GM killed it...but i think even electric car is not the solution to the enviromental crisis. More electricity=More coal burning, More coal burning = more pollution.. So lets say if every car out there ran on electricity, then the amount of coal needed to power these vehicles will have the same impact and we will be back to square one. What we really need is a cheap fuel cell alternative. Something like a water car. Not something controlled by the big oil companies.

[liveoilfree]

Actually, the average drive (1000 miles per month) can be done in an EV on 250 kWh of electric energy -- which can be made on less than 13 sq. meters, less than the area where you park the car. So powering an EV is not an issue.

[giantquesadilla]

Even charging off of a coal grid, EVs are cleaner than even a Prius. Hydrogen takes electricity to make, but it's 4X less efficient than driving on straight electricity alone, meaning you are polluting 4X more than an EV. With an EV, you can put solar panels on your home and generate clean electricity and you know that it's clean and where it comes from. Hopefully you already have solar panels on your house since you're concerned about coal plants and your house uses more electricity than an EV.

[woppini]

Typical GM arrogance. Too bad they never changed, until a bail out with OUR money. Iam a mechanic, and wont buy a GM. Period.

[samuraifugitivo]

Man, i was not about gm arrogance but about who paid more for the car, and it happened that the oil dukes paid a lot for taking it out of the market. Isnt it worst than arrogance? shame on GM!

[deedundone]

@woppini me either. any other company but! GM.

[Daniel55556]

@woppini GM is a bunch of CEO's dude, at least Ford is managed by a family which actually has a clue and is willing to fix somthing not make it worse like GM. Look up how Henry Ford made a assembly line used today, look up how he gave his employees raises and brought the cost of the car down and people thought he was insane till he made more money. And GM shouldn't of been bailed out and I'm not a big president blamer but I blame it on the Bush administration.

[Chancepace]

I wish i had one

[kittycatback]

GM is a joke!!!!

[generalmotors4eva]

Listen the EV1 is history. The VOLT is here and will be here.

[liveoilfree]

LOL, the VOLT is NOT here!! That's the whole point, GM is lying about the VOLT, and only the GULLIBLE believe GM.

[generalmotors4eva]

I know the EV1 was a disappointment for you and I think it was silly to get rid of it. But talk to Roger Smith about that (in hell) now we have Fritz Henderson in charge and he'll make it happen.

[liveoilfree]

Lutz is already backing away from the VOLT hoax, read the latest. It wasn't Roger Smith who sabotaged the EV1; he was fired by the Board in Aug., 1990, because he funded the Impact.

[popscoop12]

Did any 1 even buy a EV1 here?

[liveoilfree]

No one was allowed to buy an EV1; in fact, GM had customers who tried arrested.

[popscoop12]

I wold not looks like thave perfected the EV1N's flaws with the volt or had the electric car as a backup like the situation they r going through now

[bobilator1]

GM work realy hard to demolish electric cars reputation. Cause they dont control the power .

No one will start a war for electricity, and made electricity is realy cheap to made . Electric engine dont broke and there is way less part in a electric cars.

Less part mean more fiability and less cash to made with part. GM try to sold shitty cars with a lot of failling part . They know u will pay new part in 5 year.....

GM administration is a faillure , is sad for all there good worker.

[Trommylee]

from the looks of some of the comments i read on these posts, it looks as if GM has a whole lot of people fooled. there's no good reason to be putzing around making EV's that get 40-50 mile range when 13 years ago, there were plenty EV's with range in excess of 100 miles. if i could afford an EV that got the same range as the original EV1, i'd be more than happy with it. thanks Doug, for being relentless in educating people about this. no more bailout $ for GM!!

[FluxCapacitor2008]

We need EREV like the volt and 200C EV now!! This type of Extended Range Electric can be a bridge for battery technology. I know about the Texaco NiMH battery scandal but as we gat a mass produced EREV then EV technology will be in place and ready for the next battery technology (After Texaco patient runs out) So we need to get behind this and stop looking back.

[liveoilfree]

I agree that we need it! But the problem is, GM has no intention of delivering it.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

They are putting a lot of money into the volt project for an advertisement bit. Well if they dont build it someone will. I dont mean any disrespect; I just think and hope that someone will build some type of mass produced EREV or all electric. If we can get the EV ball rolling once more then we can send the oil guys packing. But the deck is stacked against us; the government needs the gas tax money and the oil companies keep buying all the good technologies to shelve.

[liveoilfree]

GM is a liar.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

liveoilfree

Dont shoot me; but I work at the Chrysler technology center and they have been working on EREV for some time now, I think Chrysler is our best shot at an EV production car.

[liveoilfree]

Well, I wish it were true; and Jim Press might have good intentions. The problem is that Chrysler is so starved of money, so ignorant of how to make an EV, that they probably don't have much hope. For example, Lithium batteries???

[B4its2L8guy]

I cannot see some straw-sucking, cousin-humping rednecks giving up their "trucks" to get into smaller electrics. I believe we should have been driving electrics a long time ago. It takes years to develop mainstream technologies. The first cars were not luxury, but look at where we are now! Regardless how feasible electric is now...it has to be done to be viable future transportation. The EV1 was a success and that's why it was destroyed. Corporate greed.

[hylander89]

well I do have a defense to that too.... not everybody can afford to buy two vehicles.... one for long distance..... and one for intown I can be assured that we will get better over time it is a technological certainty :)

[liveoilfree]

That's not a very smart "defense". The fact that not everyone can use an EV should not entail that no one can buy them. Actually, most families have one car per person, many have six or more. So the fact that some people don't have a roof should not stop those who do have roofs from putting in solar, eh?

[FluxCapacitor2008]

I also think the auto makers should be looking at some of the YouTube videos for some ideas and concerns of the public

[FluxCapacitor2008]

We need an EREV with out all the bells and gadgets that drive up the pieces, it need to be under $25,000 and have a starting range of 40 to 80 miles, just for starters to get them in to peoples hands. They can have a small 1 or 2 cylinder motor and generator for extended range. I think that people will have a hard time with the all electric car, because if you buy a car you want to be able to go on long trips if needed.

[vincentyabes]

i have a two-door rav4 '97 automatic, is there an electric conversion kit available in the market?

[FluxCapacitor2008]

Letter from Bob Nardelli to Chrysler Employees:

Our long range product plan is robust, realistic and green. The plane features 24 major lunches from 2009 through 2012. We also will put our first electric drive vehicle into production for North America by 2010 with 3 additional models by 2013

[liveoilfree]

If you believe Chrysler. Chrysler has failed with EVs before; they are a big-iron company that merely gives lip service to EVs. Nardelli=b.s. artist, IMO.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

There are so many government regulation and safety standards that add to the cost of a car that a start up company will not be able to bear the cost of the R&D for an all electric extended range vehicle (EREV)

[liveoilfree]

Well, there are Tesla cars running, and already beloved by their owners. Sure, they can't use NiMH batteries, and their Lithium batteries will need replacement, but Chevron's patents might expire before they need new batteries.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

If we are going to have an EREV its going to come out of Detroit

[liveoilfree]

"...it's NOT going to come out of Detroit..." IMO.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

GM tried with the EV1 and Toyota with the REV-EV but found that the big oil guys play hardball, I say give them a 2nd chance or more if needed but we need an EREV of some type now. Big oil thinks the drop in gas pieces will save them but its to late the cats out of the bag.

[elayt98]

how is this collusion legal? what a sad time when corporate underhandedness shapes the world we live in. what's the solution? So when and where can i get my electric car? I know one thing, i'm never buying GM, but my bike only takes me so far...

[FluxCapacitor2008]

GM is the only auto maker talking about an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) with all electric motor drive for sale in 2010; we will have to wait to see. But I want one

[liveoilfree]

Uh, yeah, we all want one...but GM is a liar, still lying about the EV1, still claiming it couldn't sell them and lying that the EV1 was a failure.

[elayt98]

Chevron Patents?! I had no clue Chevron had patented batteries and shelved the technology. Do most people know of this? That is so terrible! How crooked and backwards are we going to let coorporate America get? Our taxes have been used to fight wars we did not approve of, and now they are being used to prop up companies who've been habitually irresponsible. This is getting really scary.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

Chevrons stonewalling patent on large NiMH batteries will expire in 2014

[liveoilfree]

Actually, Chevron acquired GM's patents on NiMH when it bought Texaco...so it wasn't GM and Standard Oil of California DIRECTLY who colluded to crush the batteries, they used an intermediary, and six days, possibly to avoid stirring memories of their killing the urban trollies.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

I think the car companies now understand that they have to make an EREV it is the wave of the future. So I hope the volt is a baby step to mass produced EREV. We need to leave the past screw ups (EV1) in the past and (Be The Change)

[liveoilfree]

If you don't study the past GM con-jobs, as they sabotaged the EV1, you won't be alert to future GM con-jobs, as they are sabotaging the VOLT.

[checkersq]

The fact that the Volt has less of a range than the EV1 should tell Americans GM is still in bed with oil. If Congress gives money to Gm to perpetuate their lies and big oil without making them make changes to the Volt that makes it comparable to what the Ev1 was I suggest that nobody purchase one and then march on Washington. These cowards need their clock cleaned once and for all!!

[a1mint]

GM never gave the aftermarket a chance to improve it. Had it been on the market, innovative people would have come up with ways to improve the range.

One idea is to tow a generator that continuously slowly charge the battery. Even if it couldn't keep up and generate enough charge, it would still extend the range.

HEY! THERE IS AN IDEA! I JUST CAME UP WITH AN IDEA!

But if GM purposely keeps it away from people, aaggghhh, they're corrupt and in bed with Exxon and Saudis. Corrupt crooks.

[kostea13]

EV 1 had 120 miles range Volt has 40 ???!

[a1mint]

GM is again making boy toys instead of cars that really accomplish efficiency.

I hate GM - they suck. I've had a number of GM's and they all suck suck suck. Garbage. They rust prematurely, they get strange engine problems. Electric windows break.

Good grief what a pile of crap they make.

Aside from the workers that I don't want to see get hurt - I'd love to see GM just vanish.

[liveoilfree]

Yes; there were two flavors of EV1, the 1997 (and 1999) with upgraded PSB 1260 lead-acid batteries had over 100 miles range, and the 1999 NiMH version had over 140 miles range (EPA); we could get 160 miles, on one trip to SF.

[liveoilfree]

EV1 came in two flavors: lead acid and NiMH. The lead version (1997 and 1999) had 100 miles range; the NiMH version had 140 miles EPA range. Both could do more in a pinch.

[FluxCapacitor2008]

I can only hope the volt is true, it sounds like a cool idea to use only batteries for the first 40 miles, my trips to work are about 32 miles round trip and you will have the capability to go extended range with a generator if needed. Then in the future we can plug in the NIMH. They cant hold the patent for ever.

[liveoilfree]

It's a great idea! And it's scaleable: you can do it in big pickup trucks -- they do it in cranes right now, gas engines make the electric for the electric motor that runs things.

[sirberner12]

100 mi. = 160.934 km

[sirberner12]

i wish i had a EV-1

[igotwhips]

GM is one of the worst run companies. They've been bleeding money for years and haven't made a decent quality car that lasts over 2 decades without restoration. My 1993 Nissan Maxima still runs strong and still looks good. The problem with the EV1 was it's aweful styling. Otherwise it had good mechanical features. GM is full of whining babies that build what people want rather than what they need. No one needs a Hummer!

[AcuraNissanMan]

get your facts straight. and i agree with bg - why the HELL would gm say their car was crap? you are incredibly arrogant and need to get real.

[liveoilfree]

They are saying that it failed because of its short range; you need to study. Whether they are saying it's "crap" is another issue.

Just lying about the reason for GM crushing it is imporant; you must learn.

[bg1379]

A) The range was significantly less than 500.

B) Do you want to choose between the heater and the lights?

C) Are you a MORON? You are saying that they claim their technology was rubbish! Why in the world would they do that? Be real.

[liveoilfree]

You have obviously never driven an EV1, and don't know a thing about the feelings of those who drive EVs.

Range of 500 miles is NOT an issue! How many times do you drive that far? Keep a gas car, or take a plane!

GM tried to kill the EV1 from the time it was announced by the late Roger B. Smith; he lost his job over it. Study and learn.

[bg1379]

So, once again, if GM had a hit on their hands why would they speak negatively of it?

[liveoilfree]

That's the million dollar question, isn't it? In the movie, WKtEC, the speculation was that GM was afraid of its impact on dealer sales and was afraid it was TOO well liked, afraid it would have to make a lot of them. And indeed, that fear was well-placed, people stood in the rain and got arrested (by GM) for trying to buy one.

[brodieman267]

because gm is in bed with big oil, and if people drove electric cars exxon mobil could not make record profits every year. put simply oil companies do not want renewable energy while there is still oil that can be drilled and sold at an inflated price.

[kostea13]

EV IS THE FUTURE !

[r4nd0mn4me]

I can't wait for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV to hit the market in 2010 and show GM how EV's are done. No really, I can't wait, I want to build my own...but can I live for 3 years with a 50km range until new batteries become available? Decisions, decisions.

[liveoilfree]

We've got 120 miles range on our 2002 and Toyota 2003 RAV4-EV.

I don't know where you come up with "50 km", which is onlyh 36 miles. Study!

[r4nd0mn4me]

I said if I were to build my own EV, using the drive systems and pb/acid batteries that are available today, I would be looking at about a 50km range or one km per two amp hours. Most pb/acid batteries only have 40 to 100 amp hours and are two heavy to double up on. Only a few small manufactures are still making NiMH batteries, and they are rather small and would seriously complicate the pack.

The i-MiEV can attain a range of about 160km, I am sorry for any misunderstandings.

[liveoilfree]

The 1999 lead-acid EV1, and the upgraded 1997 EV1 with lead-acid PSB 1260 batteries, had over 100 miles range and used LEAD ACID batteries. It was no lightweight, either. We carried hundreds of pounds of tools in its large trunk.

[r4nd0mn4me]

I went down town this week, then came home after shopping, then drove to work and back twice and only put 79kms on my car.