video reflection- who killed the electric car

"In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust and ran without gasoline........... Ten years later, these futuristic cars were almost completely gone."

The film “who killed the electric car” is filmed by Chris Paine who owned an electric car since 1990s and keep it until 2003. The car he was driving is EV1 exactly, the car produced by General Motors in 1996. After GM collected all the EV1 back, he bought RAV4EV which produced by Toyota and use it till now. These kind of electric car have the high velocity and high efficiency, it generate by electric and without pollution. Chris loves this kind of car since he saw it, but the electric cars did not promote also have been destroyed. He is wondering why this might happen and that’s why he filmed this movie.

In this film, A discussion about the history of how electric cars develop in south California, the electric cars have been introduced to public since 1966. This kind of cars has the advantage that gasoline cars, hydria cars cannot compete. It produces no pollution, low price. Especially after California pass the Zero Emissions Mandate, and it also the reason GM introduce this revolution electric cars into the markets. The main device of this car is the battery, It do not required to renewal gas, engine oil, nearly no need Brake maintenance. They should be popular in the market with all these advantages. The fact is they failed the mission this time. The film analysis this case from many different factors that might affects. The US consumers, batteries, oil companies, car companies and us government. Although some consumers complain that they do not like the car need charge 60 miles, Car companies then increased the per charge miles with 100 miles. After interviewed 65 people involves in this event. They are vehicle manufacture lawmaker, engineering, consumers and the car enthusiasts in los angles. The final summary indicates the fallen of electric cars is because they threated those oil companies’ profit.

The film illustrates that using solar and wind to generate electricity would further reduce the carbon pollution of a switch EVs. Many companies are adapting to change to build new car and energy alternatives. At this point, Stan and Iris Ovshinsky steal the show as Stan shows off his new battery and solar power technologies that are advancing rapidly and are not controlled by oil companies as in the past. 

As a designer, i think every designer should watch this video, because every one should interested in energy saving policy.  the video also told me a good product is not just designed for good income but also designed for change the enviroment. rencently we are designing a package to solve a social issue. this video reminded me that i have to design a product not just solve the issue but also should be keep the enviroment green.