Who Killed the Electric Car? A Look Back at the Rise and Fall of EVs in the 90s

The year is 1990. General Motors, a titan of the automotive industry, unveils a sleek, futuristic concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show: the Impact, a zippy two-seater powered entirely by electricity. This wasn’t just a gimmick. It was a glimpse into a future where gasoline-guzzling giants would be replaced by clean, silent electric vehicles (EVs).

California, ever the trendsetter, took notice. By September of the same year, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandated that major automakers start selling EVs in phases, starting in 1998. This was a bold move, a shot across the bow of the traditional automotive industry and a signal of a growing concern about air quality.

The challenge was met. From 1996 to 1998, GM produced a limited number of the now-iconic EV1, a practical electric car available through leases. They weren’t alone. Chrysler, Ford, Honda, and Toyota all dipped their toes into the EV market, offering their own electric vehicles to California drivers.

So, what happened? Fast forward to 2003. The leases on the GM EV1s expired, and GM, in a move that shocked many, decided to discontinue the program altogether. The reasons behind this decision are complex and hotly debated. Some point to the auto industry’s successful challenge to California’s zero-emissions vehicle mandate. Others blame a federal regulation that saddled GM with the responsibility of producing spare parts for a relatively small number of vehicles.

But there’s another factor at play, explored in the thought-provoking 2006 documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?”: the influence of the oil and auto industries. The film suggests these powerful players orchestrated a media campaign to undermine public confidence in EVs, portraying them as impractical and unreliable.

The impact of this campaign was undeniable. Fear and skepticism took root. Other manufacturers followed GM’s lead, repossessing and crushing their EVs rather than offering them for sale. A promising future for electric vehicles seemed to screech to a halt.

The story doesn’t end there. The ending isn’t a happy one, but it is one that leaves a glimmer of hope. The public outcry over the crushing of EVs was significant. A handful of manufacturers, like Toyota, did sell off some of their electric vehicles, demonstrating continued interest.

Today, we are witnessing a resurgence of electric vehicles. Concerns about climate change and advancements in battery technology are driving renewed interest in this clean transportation alternative. The ghosts of the 90s still linger, a reminder of the challenges EVs face. But the story of the electric car is far from over. The question isn’t “who killed the electric car?” but rather “will we learn from the past and embrace a cleaner future?”