I wonder how many people remember that the EV1 story actually played out over three years. Did you? Well, it's true. The company produced and leased 1,117 of these cars from 1996 through 1999.
But haven't you heard the news? The slow sales of the Volt and Leaf mean the electric car is dead.
Remind me. Way back in 1997, how many competitors put their own electric cars on the market the year after GM introduced the EV1? Um, that would be zero.
But what is happening in 2012, after such a "crappy" first year for the Volt and Leaf? Well, at least nine new electric car models are entering the U.S. market, and even more models are launching in Europe and Asia. On top of that, several companies are making electric trucks. And electric motorcycles. On top of that, a new industry has emerged to install several varieties of home and public electric car charging stations. On top of that, a completely unpredicted secondary market for electric car accessories is already selling portable chargers and other extras -- not unlike the companies that raced to make covers for the iPhone.
Smells like capitalism to me. Amusing how the GOP is so opposed to this growth in manufacturing jobs.
Here are just some of the new electric cars coming out in 2012.
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Bottom line, there's already a far, far bigger wave of electric cars heading our way than we ever saw with the EV1. I think it will be really interesting to see what comes along for 2013 and 2014.