I just watched Who Killed the Electric Car? Although the film didn't grab my attention a couple years back when it was in theaters, the growing oil crisis we're mired in brought me to watch it. The movie is the straight informational documentary I expected, but the story is unsettling and relevant.
From 1996 to 1999, General Motors marketed an electric car, the EV1. You've never heard of this car? That's no mistake. Although the EV1 was much sought after and completely practical, GM not only stopped production, but seized and destroyed all EV1s besides a token few.
Why?
You know why. And who did it, too.
The results were effective. In a country where millions of Americans are struggling with ever- rising gas prices, and our president and politicians announce "America's addiction to oil" and the need for "energy independence," the lost electric car is entirely absent from popular debate. Drilling is the favored panacea of the day.
If in fact America's oil-ailment is classified as an "addiction," as diagnosed by Dr. Bush himself, why is our physician prescribing more oil as the solution? It's a rare moment of frankness for the Bush administration, actually. America is the junkie and Bush is the dealer. What doctor would prescribe even more heroin for the addict? Of course, Bush is not a doctor--Dr. is an abbreviation for "Decider." And the Bush administration's energy policy decisions have been made for Chevron (Condoleeza was a board member) and GM (Chief of Staff Andrew Card, VP GM) rather than the American people.
The EV1 offered a solution towards reducing GHG and achieving oil independence. What's more disturbing are the possible other solutions the United States of Corporate America has taken to the junkyard and shredded like the doomed electric car.
See the movie and be furious.
From 1996 to 1999, General Motors marketed an electric car, the EV1. You've never heard of this car? That's no mistake. Although the EV1 was much sought after and completely practical, GM not only stopped production, but seized and destroyed all EV1s besides a token few.
Why?
You know why. And who did it, too.
The results were effective. In a country where millions of Americans are struggling with ever- rising gas prices, and our president and politicians announce "America's addiction to oil" and the need for "energy independence," the lost electric car is entirely absent from popular debate. Drilling is the favored panacea of the day.
If in fact America's oil-ailment is classified as an "addiction," as diagnosed by Dr. Bush himself, why is our physician prescribing more oil as the solution? It's a rare moment of frankness for the Bush administration, actually. America is the junkie and Bush is the dealer. What doctor would prescribe even more heroin for the addict? Of course, Bush is not a doctor--Dr. is an abbreviation for "Decider." And the Bush administration's energy policy decisions have been made for Chevron (Condoleeza was a board member) and GM (Chief of Staff Andrew Card, VP GM) rather than the American people.
The EV1 offered a solution towards reducing GHG and achieving oil independence. What's more disturbing are the possible other solutions the United States of Corporate America has taken to the junkyard and shredded like the doomed electric car.
See the movie and be furious.
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