The world’s largest automotive manufacturer, General Motors, is to cease production of its EV1 battery powered vehicles. The decision was prompted by the relaxation of California’s tough zero-emission legislation. The old rules would have required 10% of the new vehicles sold this year to be zero-emission types, such as electric cars. GM cites a lack of spare parts and aftermarket service availability as other reasons for the move.

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Of the 1000 EV1 battery powered vehicles originally manufactured, around 375 are still on the road. GM has leased out the sporty two-seat cars to customers and will withdraw the vehicles from service when their current lease terms expire. The remaining examples will be off the road by the end of the year and will potentially face being scrapped.

The future looks doubtful for battery-powered cars, as poor public interest combined with a range of only 100 miles, high costs and heavy recharge requirements have limited consumer interest. With a small number of users, the contribution of these vehicles to reducing pollution has been negligible at best. As a result, other manufacturers are pulling out of battery-powered vehicle development, in favour of alternatives such as fuel cell, natural gas and hybrid petrol/electric vehicles.

Honda, which still has 100 of its 300-strong production run of battery powered EV Plus vehicles on the road, has extended leases for these vehicles.

“I think it is a small group that is very interested in that particular technology,” Honda’s vice president Ben Knight said.

Honda is now focusing on fuel cell vehicles that have twice the range of battery-powered vehicles. They will be on the market in California by June this year.

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