Some peoples from the Tesla Motors Club forum posted links of an EV1 seen in the wild through Google Maps Google Maps Google Streetview They say that since Google Streetview is quite new, those pics are pretty interesting. SOURCE
Forget the Google Streetview sightings of flashing nymphets and people in compromising positions, give us EV1 sightings!
I spotted this on my morning(5-5-11) commute. I can not verify its authenticity as it was being towed and not in operation but it looked LEGIT!
Almost all were destroyed. I know there was at least one that was whole but missing critical parts that GM took so it could never be operated. I dug up GM EV1 WWU Resurrection - SeattleEVA and http://priuschat.com/forums/other-cars/41121-resurecting-gms-ev1.html. I don't know all the details or any more recent developments since I don't follow.
A GM EV1 with current battery technologies would get 150-200 miles per charge. Sign me up for one of these Wake-up GM and smell the coffee. People want EVs, not Volts(Prius is the answer to the Volt).
Apparently NOT! There are a few out there given to Universities and museums w/ a Strict contract that they are Never to be reactivated and/or driven on public roads. Follow up movie this summer "Revenge of the Electric Car"
Rent the movie Who Killed the Electric Car. It'll explain it all. Typical Corporations. Some genius has insight, does something brilliant, then some corporate monkeys get threatened by this amazing technology. What do they do, assassinate it or rush in and buy up the patent and bury it until they deem it 'profitable'. I believe the oil companies have all the technology needed make this happen but they want to wait until there is no more raping of the Earth left before they switch.
My interpretation of the EV1 contract between GM and various organizations goes like this: 1) GM gives you an EV1. You promise never to drive it on public streets (THAT in itself gives a TON of lee weigh) if you should ever choose to rebuild all of its missing ECU's and controllers. 2) GM's EV1 contracts with various organizations were with it's pre-bankruptcy company. That company no longer exists. Game over. Re-register for street use, and enjoy!
I would like to look at the language of the contract. Is this available? Hill, please expand on your second point. Thank you.
The GM that signed the contract was dissolved in bankruptcy court. Can new GM enforce the contract? Can new GM saddle an EV1 owner with legal bills if so inclined? Remember, in the US, you don't need to have a case to file suit.
Would they bother to in light of the Volt and upcoming Bolt? An EV1 sans battery is nearly half the weight of a Volt without its pack. Since both have the T-shape layout, the Volt pack might fit in the EV1. It has about the same kWh as the first gen lead acid pack for the EV which had a range of 60 miles(old EPA?). With the weight reduction from the li-ion pack, this upgraded EV1 might get near a 90 mile range. This EV2015 won't show up the Bolt. Even if it manages to match it on range, it is still a two seater lacking on many of today's standard features and safety equipment. New GM may take no action against someone trying to revive an EV1 simply to avoid negative publicity. If asked nicely, they might be willing to give a little assistance to someone taking the project on.
The only EV1 that is all original and runs, is in the Smithsonian. The Death of the EV-1 | Science | Smithsonian
On what basis are you making that claim, that GM would provide assistance? GM was deadly serious about banishing the EV1 from the roads and from collective memory, as evidenced by their decision to round up and crush 1077 of the 1117 produced, and keep the remaining ones in a non-functioning state and out of the public's eye. Wishing for something doesn't make it so – that's Disneyland. This is the real world.
Perhaps because it has been over a decade since The Crushing, Wagoner admitted it was an mistake to do so, corporations aren't people and there has been changes since then, the new GM is increasing Spark EV availability to one more state and plans to have the Bolt out as a 2017 model, and the Volt is a descendent of the EV1; there were four seater and hybrid prototypes of it back then.
40 were not destroyed. Of these, 20 are overseas, comprised of both a few all originals it appears as well as "deactivated" (read stripped of essential components) EV1s. Indeed the only complete one in the US is at the Smithsonian, and is bound by contract not to witnessed on public roads. The case overseas may differ. One complete EV1 may be at the Shanghai Auto Museum as well as at an auto museum in Germany. These were likely obtained during the EV1's primary period on the scene in the automotive world, and not during arrangements for the return back to GM of leased vehicles with a few allowed to survive (in appearance primarily) for posterity at universities and museums.
