In 1996, General Motors began leasing a new generation of electric cars to consumers. This car was leased to an individual in California from 1998 to 2000. It is the last one produced in the first series, which had lead-acid batteries; the second series had nickel-metal hydride batteries with greater range. GM developed the EV1 to meet a requirement for emission-free vehicles in California. It was aerodynamic and had a sophisticated, computer-controlled energy management and propulsion system. Many drivers liked the EV1, but GM chose not to mass-produce the car because of its projected high price and limited market.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board required automakers to offer emission-free vehicles by 1998. Of the various makes and models of electric vehicles placed on the road in California, only the EV1 was designed from scratch. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced power management systems, developed by AeroVironment Inc., GM Electric Vehicles, Hughes Electronics, and other GM subsidiaries, made the new car practical, energy efficient, and appealing to consumers. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This mug, which was owned by Steven Tarnowsky, a member of the EV1 engineering and propulsion team, reflects employee enthusiasm within GM’s electric vehicle program.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board required automakers to offer emission-free vehicles by 1998. Of the various makes and models of electric vehicles placed on the road in California, only the EV1 was designed from scratch. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced power management systems, developed by AeroVironment Inc., GM Electric Vehicles, Hughes Electronics, and other GM subsidiaries, made the new car practical, energy efficient, and appealing to consumers. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This cap, which was owned by Steven Tarnowsky, a member of the EV1 engineering and propulsion team, reflects employee enthusiasm within GM’s electric vehicle program.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board required automakers to offer emission-free vehicles by 1998. Of the various makes and models of electric vehicles placed on the road in California, only the EV1 was designed from scratch. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced power management systems, developed by AeroVironment Inc., GM Electric Vehicles, Hughes Electronics, and other GM subsidiaries, made the new car practical, energy efficient, and appealing to consumers. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. This shirt belonged to Ronn Jamieson, who worked in the Electrical Systems and Propulsion area of GM’s electric vehicle program.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 of the cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. Marty Freedman, who worked in the Vehicle Test and Development area of GM’s electric vehicle program, wore this name badge during the first EV1 driveaway to dealers on November 14, 1996.
The EV1 was the first modern electric car designed for a mass market. In 1990, the California Air Resources Board required automakers to offer emission-free vehicles by 1998. Of the various makes and models of electric vehicles placed on the road in California, only the EV1 was designed from scratch. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced power management systems, developed by AeroVironment Inc., GM Electric Vehicles, Hughes Electronics, and other GM subsidiaries, made the new car practical, energy efficient, and appealing to consumers. Beginning in 1996, General Motors built 1,117 EV1 cars and leased most of them to consumers in California, Arizona, and Georgia. Lessees liked the EV1, but in 2003 GM abruptly canceled the program, citing high production costs and a small potential market for future sales of electric cars. But concerns about air pollution and climate change, and consumer interest in lower energy cost per mile, created a market for electric cars. In 2010 GM began selling the Chevrolet Volt, a hybrid car with a gasoline-charged electric motor. The all-electric Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, Ford Focus Electric, and Chevrolet Spark EV expanded energy choice while eliminating tailpipe emissions.