Who Killed the Electric Car?
An energetic investigative documentary traces the disappearance and possible resurrection of GM's EV1 while confronting the political and commercial forces behind America's dependence on oil.
Overview
A compelling exploration of the electric car's rise and fall amidst a fossil fuel crisis.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- provocative
- lively
- skeptical
- environmental awareness viewing
- film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly found the documentary lively, accessible, and compelling in its factual investigation of the EV1's demise, while noting that its advocacy perspective can be one-sided.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The investigation implicates General Motors, oil companies, government agencies, hydrogen advocates, and consumers in the EV1's disappearance.
The General Motors EV1 functions as the central case through which the film examines energy policy and car culture.
The film connects SUV adoption, foreign oil, energy insecurity, and automobile culture.
Chris Paine combines interviews, archival material, and direct criticism of officials and industry decision-makers.
Films like Who Killed the Electric Car?, and why
An Inconvenient Truth
Investigative environmental documentary examining corporate and political resistance to cleaner technology.
The Corporation
Fact-driven documentary linking energy policy, corporate interests, and environmental consequences.
Gasland
Advocacy-oriented documentary using accessible explanations and interviews to challenge entrenched energy systems.
A Faster Way to Better Living
Automotive documentary focused on car culture, industry practices, and the social costs of transportation.
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Paine
- Release Date
- 2006-08-04
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (207)
Cast
- Martin Sheen
- Mel Gibson
- Chelsea Sexton
- Tom Hanks
- Reverend Gadget
- Ed Begley Jr.
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Who Killed the Electric Car? about?
- An energetic investigative documentary traces the disappearance and possible resurrection of GM's EV1 while confronting the political and commercial forces behind America's dependence on oil.
- What is Who Killed the Electric Car? like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Who Killed the Electric Car? as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Who Killed the Electric Car? violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Who Killed the Electric Car?.
- What did critics think of Who Killed the Electric Car??
- Critics broadly found the documentary lively, accessible, and compelling in its factual investigation of the EV1's demise, while noting that its advocacy perspective can be one-sided.
- Which films are like Who Killed the Electric Car??
- Films with a similar feel include An Inconvenient Truth, The Corporation, Gasland, and A Faster Way to Better Living.
- How long is Who Killed the Electric Car??
- Who Killed the Electric Car? runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Who Killed the Electric Car??
- In United States, Who Killed the Electric Car? streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
