Development of the Electic Vehicle

Paine’s film demonstrates how frustrating and difficult it is for change to occur. The electric vehicle had been invented many years ago before the EV1, but the convenience and the range of the fossil fuel vehicle hindered the ability for the battery power car to take off.

During the filming of Paine’s documentary, it showed how there was a social demand and legislative movement towards the creation of an electric vehicle. Respiratory problems were at an all time high during the 90’s in California, and Senators were starting to receive complaints from citizens about the “black cloud of death” that lingered over the residential area. The answer to the problems was the “Zero Emissions Mandate” set out in California for the automotive industry and hence the EV program was born.

For the automotive industry, the EV1 program was never supposed to be a success. For their industry, the core product was a petroleum-burning vehicle. The industry never gave the EV1 the same opportunities in advertising, promotions, or sales as their core product. The only people that stood a chance in getting the EV1 were celebrities. Tom Hanks was able to generate some positive feedback on the vehicle when he was interviewed, as well as Mel Gibson when he was filmed for Paine’s documentary. Gibson revealed just how difficult it was to obtain the EV1; the automotive makers asked a series of benign and rather pointless question in order for him to lease the vehicle. The manufacturer saw the consumer demand for the vehicle, however the EV1 makers were not interest in meeting that demand. They recognized that producing an electric vehicle with fewer consumable parts would result in a smaller cash flow. Paine’s film showed multiple car parts that were no...

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...minant electric car for 2020 is doubtful. Government and Industry will always be resisting this idea because for them it doesn’t make any economical sense. All the infrastructure, and technology that was develop during the EV1 program could be implemented today, however we still are using petroleum burning vehicles, and developing hydrogen-burning cars.

Paine’s film illustrates the struggle between the engineering team, and the management group. The design team clearly indicated that the EV1 design could meet the requirements of the end-users, however management refused to release this information to its consumers. The management and promotional teams did not properly promote the EV1. Consumers when asked about the electric car, had no idea that one was design and on the road. This demonstrated the lack of attention given to the electric car and hence its demise.