GM’s Awesome Electrification History (Massively Abridged)
[Feb. 10, 2020]
General Motors recently teased its latest EV creation, the Hummer EV, but while some may have been “shocked” by the announcement, electrification is nothing new for GM. In fact, GM first flirted with electrification as far back as 1912, with GM producing some 682 electric trucks. GM’s EV development then went mostly dormant for 50 years, but in 1964, the world got to bask in the glory of the Electrovair.
Part Corvair and part EV, the Electrovair was as awesome as it sounds, although this electrified car was more proof of concept than production ready. GM even readily admitted the batteries of the day weren’t ready for primetime.
GM’s first generation Electrovair utilized a 90 hp AC induction motor and a 450-volt silver-zinc battery. In 1966, GM hot-rodded the Electrovair with the second generation of its unsafe-at-any-speed vehicle (dubbed the Electrovair II – another awesome name), powering it with a 115 hp motor and a 532-volt battery, enabling this Corvair EV to reach speeds of up to 80 mph with a range of 40-80 miles.
While the Electrovair never took off, some of GM’s other electric vehicles did – literally. Three of those EVs are still on the moon.
The 1970s saw General Motors electrify a version of the Chevette, dubbed the Electrovette. Unlike the Electrovair, the Electrovette utilized nickel-zink battery technology.
In the 1990s, GM showcased electrified versions of the Geo Storm and Chevy Lumina APV, and created the HX-3 Hybrid concept. Then in 1997, GM released an EV for actual consumer use: the EV1. For its battery tech, some EV1s used lead-acid while others were equipped with Nickel Metal Hydride.
The EV1 even inspired a movie.
Truly, electrification is nothing new for General Motors. It’s also something GM continues to embrace, with GM’s President Mark Reuss recently announcing the company will host an “EV Day” on March 4, 2020.
But with the forthcoming Hummer EV, the question for us becomes: Will GM’s latest EV dominate the roadways, or will the Hummer EV become the next Electrovair?
Regardless of how it turns out, the Electrovair’s name will always be more awesome.
(Images courtesy General Motors)
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