EV1 Remembered (Again)

Read more reader reponses to DN Editor-in-Chief John Dodge's "Get Energized about Energy" column in the August 11 issue as well as Design News' exhaustive hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and fueling infrastructure package.

I enjoy your magazine and typically read all of the articles. I would like to comment on your recent issue.

The August 11 issue of Design News Magazine had two great features about Ethanol and Hydrogen powered automobiles. They were very interesting. However, it appears that another non oil powered automobile appeared to be missing.  This automobile is battery powered and was produced by GM's Saturn Division with much fanfare in California a few years ago. Several hundred of these commuter type battery powered cars were produced.

According to the documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" the car called the EV1, was leased to customers and the leassees loved them. The car was similar in appearance and size to the current Tesla, with lead acid batteries and an electric motor. You could plug it in and recharge at home overnight or at special local parking facilities.

According to the documentary, all of a sudden, the cars were being repossessed and crushed. Only one was saved for a museum. It appears that someone began to realize that with an electric motor and rechargeable batteries powering the car, gasoline, oil, oil filters, engine servicing and exhaust systems would no longer be required. All of the money invested in producing these products and services and all their related jobs might gradually fade away.

It is interesting that at about the same time, Ford imported a similar battery powered electric commuter car from Norway and called it the "Think". They similarly leased it to customers and then repossessed them.

Regarding the question of fuel replenishment, the manufacturing and distribution of electric power for recharging batteries already exists and is a known technology while hydrogen and/or ethanol manufacturing, distribution and refueling stations remain to be developed. 

If GM and Ford management were really thinking of an energy efficient pollution free vehicle they would revisit the battery powered car, especially for commuter use. According to the documentary, batteries for a 300 mile range now exist. Like the EV1 leasees, if a nominal priced mass produced battery powered commuter type automobile already existed, I and millions of others would purchase it for commuter activity while retaining our current gasoline powered vehicles for traveling. Come on GM and Ford, wake up. Opportunity is knocking. Take another look at the Battery Powered Electric Car.

Marion Menze