To recharge its image as a technological leader, as well as to recoup a fraction of the billions of dollars that General Motors spent to develop electric cars, the automaker would begin selling them to the public in the fall of 1996. 25 Saturn dealers in California and Arizona would sell the previously named Impact electric car as the General Motors EV1. The initial markets of Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson were selected due to the mild climates, which are favorable to battery powered vehicles. While GM hinted that the EV1 ‘s list price would be in the mid $30,000 range, it was eventually available only through leases, to take some of the risk out of ownership.
Until EV1, electric vehicles available to consumers had been conversions of existing gasoline powered platforms offered by entrepreneurs. All this changed when General Motors EV1 went on sale. The EV1 was a 2-seater commuter car designed from the beginning to be the electric powered. It came with all the safety features and modern conveniences we came to expect on modern cars, including dual airbags, until lock brakes, CD player, air conditioning and cruise control.
EV1 buyers had to be willing to accept the risk involved in ownership. Namely, a severely limited driving range, a lack of places to recharge the batteries while on the go, and a limited number of service facilities able to diagnose and repair problems should something go awry. GM claimed that the E V-1 would have a driving range of about 90 miles under ideal circumstances, but more likely 60 miles in every day stop and go commuting.
The automaker said that approximately 3 hours were required to re-energize the battery packs state of charge from a 15 percent level using a 6.6 kW charging unit running off a 220 V power source. Use of a 110/20 Volt 1.2 kW convenience charger stored in the trunk requires approximately 15 hours to restore the battery pack to full charge.
One reason why GM offered only least deals for the EV1 was the shocking cost of the stationary battery charging system. Delco’s Magne Charge, an inductive system that recharged the batteries magnetically, reportedly retailed for nearly $6500. However, low monthly lease payments for the charger could have help lessen sticker shock. Vehicle leases would be arranged to expire about the time the EV1 needs it’s 26 lead-acid batteries replaced, saving consumers a service bill sure to exceed $2000.
The weight of the EV1 was 2970 pounds, with the batteries accounting for about 1175 pounds of that total. A 3-phase AC motor delivered 137 horsepower to the front wheels.Saturn dealers were a logical choice to retail the EV1 , since its products shared the construction technology of plastic body pals attached to an internal space frame.
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