who killed the electric car.

The video begins with a parody of your traditional wedding, except for all the participants are mourning for the death of an idea. 1996 was the beginning of electric cars, and the idea began in California. However a decade later, they are no longer seen. The history of electric cars began 100 years ago, where cars were more electric than gas as they were quieter and smoother. The question is, why did gas cars overwhelm the electric? This is because gas cars were mass manufactured, faster, and cheaper in comparison. By 1920, the gas car, and modern automobile are now the rave.

The video delves into how cars caused the amount of population, in some states of the US, known as the “black cloud of death”. There are tremendous effects of this pollution, due to studies showing that because of the pollution caused by these cars caused cancers and respiratory problems. Every gallon of gas burnt, adds 19 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the air. This is a global warming gas, leading to the rise of the earth’s temperature, thus leading to wild changes in our climate, with causes of polar ice caps melting, and thus water levels rising.

The video focuses on the General Motors EV1, and talks about how approximately 5000 electric cars were designed and manufactured by companies such as GM, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Nissan and Chrysler. There are various opinions offered as to why the industries killed off the electric car, and Wally Rippel offers his thoughts on how the companies didn’t want to lose monopolisation over transportation and fuel over the decades. However, others such as Dave Barthmuss argues that it failed due to a lack of consumer interest in the market, as it was a relatively high price to pay for the range of 80-100 miles per charge.

Not only does the film argue the death of the electric car, but it also branches out to touch on subjects such as hydrogen vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and other developing technologies. It features interviews with celebrities who have owned and driven the car, e.g. Tom Hanks and Mel Gibson. There is also a more technical aspect where there are interviews conducted with engineers and technicians who lead the development of the electric car.

All in all, the video was an interesting watch, and provided inside to the history of motor vehicles. It shows us that designs today have evolved over the years, and as designers, we should be aware of the changes involved. It was not a one –step simple process, but rather a trial and error of consumer wants and needs to determine how to go forth with an idea. Or in this case, go forth with the death of an idea.