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IN 1996 ELECTRIC cars were increasing in popularity on California roads so quickly that consumers were signing up on waiting lists faster than the vehicles could be produced. The cars were widely praised because they were sporty, quiet, convenient and far better for the environment than their gasoline-engine counterparts.  Less than a decade later electric vehicles had virtually disappeared from the road, with Big Auto manufacturers reclaiming the vehicles and sending them away for destruction, providing no explanation to flabbergasted consumers.

The 2006 documentary Who Killed the Electric Car tracks the rise in popularity – and ultimate devastation – of the electric vehicle industry in the United States, focusing primarily on the model known as EV1 produced by General Motors. 

WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH IT:
In 1990 the State of California issued the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate to help combat health problems caused by smog in the State. The Mandate required auto makers to offer some “0 emission” cars if they were to continue selling cars in the State.  Similar to current ethanol mandates, the mandate grew each year, beginning with two percent zero emission cars and growing to 10 percent after a time.  The mandate was later repealed.

This film offers some haunting parallels to criticism of other green initiatives such as corn ethanol.  Just as electric vehicles were growing in popularity and the State began building electric car refueling stations, Big Oil companies led a media campaign and lobby effort calling the environmental benefits of electric cars into question.  While the film doesn’t place the blame for the electric car’s demise solely on Big Oil, it offers stark insights on the power that multi-billion dollar industry holds over the manufacturing sector, the media, and policy and decision makers.

WHY IT WILL CHALLENGE YOU:
Although this documentary is three years old, it’s particularly timely in light of recent economic events involving domestic auto manufacturers.

The documentary suggests one of the several issues auto makers may have had with the electric car is its need for little maintenance.  Because the vehicles had no combustible engine and did not require oil changes, companies stood to lose significant income at the dealership level if electric vehicles ever went mainstream. It may be one reason the cars were only ever available to lease, despite widespread consumer demand to purchase the vehicles outright.

In documenting the rise and fall of EV1 the film offers insight on how General Motors and other manufacturers opted to ignore growing consumer demand for environmentally efficient electric vehicles in favour of placing larger, stronger, less efficient SUVs and Hummers on the roads. 

It’s a lesson in paths not taken and how quickly tides can change in this age of concern for environmental sustainability and leaner corporate times.

WHERE TO FIND IT:
Who Killed the Electric Car is available for purchase or rent at most major video stores.  For more information visit www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com.