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Who Killed the Electric Car?

  • 20062006
  • PGPG
  • 1h 32min
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:14
1 Video
66 Photos
Documentary

A documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.A documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.A documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.

IMDb RATING
7.6/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Chris Paine
  • Writer
    • Chris Paine
  • Stars
    • Martin Sheen(voice)
    • Tom Hanks(archive footage)
    • Mel Gibson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Chris Paine
  • Writer
    • Chris Paine
  • Stars
    • Martin Sheen(voice)
    • Tom Hanks(archive footage)
    • Mel Gibson
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 155User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Who Killed the Electric Car?
    Trailer 2:14
    Who Killed the Electric Car?

    Photos66

    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Mel Gibson in Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Bob Hope and Phyllis Diller in Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Martin Sheen
    Martin Sheen
    • Narratoras Narrator
    • (voice)
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • Selfas Self
    Reverend Gadget
    • Selfas Self
    Dave Barthmuss
    • Selfas Self
    Ed Begley Jr.
    Ed Begley Jr.
    • Selfas Self
    Jim Boyd
    • Selfas Self
    Alec N. Brooks
    • Selfas Self
    Alan Cocconi
    • Selfas Self
    John R. Dabels
    • Selfas Self
    Phyllis Diller
    Phyllis Diller
    • Selfas Self
    Colette Divine
    Colette Divine
    • Selfas Self
    Tom Everhart
    • Selfas Self
    David Freeman
    • Selfas Self
    • (as S. David Freeman)
    Frank Gaffney
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Frank J. Gaffney Jr.)
    Greg Hanssen
    • Selfas Self
    Peter Horton
    Peter Horton
    • Selfas Self
    Leslie Kendall
    • Selfas Self
    • Director
      • Chris Paine
    • Writer
      • Chris Paine
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    With gasoline prices approaching $4/gallon, fossil fuel shortages, unrest in oil producing regions around the globe and mainstream consumer adoption and adoption of the hybrid electric car (more than 140,000 Prius' sold this year), this story couldn't be more relevant or important. The foremost goal in making this movie is to educate and enlighten audiences with the story of this car, its place in history and in the larger story of our car culture and how it enables our continuing addiction to foreign oil. This is an important film with an important message that not only calls to task the officials who squelched the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, but all of the other accomplices, government, the car companies, Big Oil, even Eco-darling Hydrogen as well as consumers, who turned their backs on the car and embrace embracing instead the SUV. Our documentary investigates the death and resurrection of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in our country's future; issues which affect everyone from progressive liberals to the neo-conservative right. —Richard D. Titus
    carelectric cartechnologycaliforniabig oil22 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • In 1996, electric cars began to appear on roads all over California. They were quiet and fast, produced no exhaust and ran without gasoline...........Ten years later, these cars were destroyed.
    • Genre
      • Documentary
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for brief mild language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The boxy, small EV shown being crushed in the movie was the Honda EV-Plus. They, like the sleek GM EV-1, were only available for lease; several returned to Honda, and were converted into fuel cell demonstration vehicles. For a while, you were able to lease them through EV Rentals (at several Budget Rent a Car locations).
    • Quotes

      Mel Gibson: Who writes the history? Um, well... The guy with the biggest club.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Superman Returns/Monster House/The Devil Wears Prada/Strangers with Candy/Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Jane's Theme from THE 13th FLOOR
      Composed by Harald Kloser

      Courtesy of Centropolis Entertainment

    User reviews155

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Thorough and interesting review of an important, hidden issue!
    I think this movie is wonderful. Can't understand the low rating on this site so far--I really wouldn't be surprised if those individuals and industries who stand to lose profits from the revelations of the movie, have voted negatively to artificially reduce its average rating on this well-known site. I mean, jeez, the movie hasn't even debuted yet (I saw an advanced screening)! And already it's only at a four-something? C'mon! Since I leased and drove an EV daily for three years(until it was rear-ended), I feel I'm in a good position to realistically evaluate the movie. Let's face it, it's a story that needs to be told. These issues impact everyone, since everyone is affected by air quality, unstable foreign politics, gas prices, transportation, and (lack of) consumer choice. EV technology is here, now. Unlike the fuel cell, which is perpetually 10 years in the future. Why was it taken away from the consumers who wanted it? Why does our society not promote the mentality that multiple solutions (EVs, fuel cells, hybrids, bicycles, mass transit, increased fuel economy, etc. etc.) all need to be employed to attack our problems with pollution and dependence on foreign oil? Why are there all these myths that the electric car is undesirable and not viable? Consumers and policy makers need to know this story.

    As a driver who lived and followed the story, I think the movie does a bang-up job of revealing it. The movie begins with a historical look at the development of the electric car, what factors discouraged it back then, what brought it back to life in the 1990's, its amazing features, and why it is no longer available to consumers as a production vehicle. (conversion kits only, folks!) The movie is filled with history, politics, technology, innovation, and some very interesting personalities. It's woven together well and is smooth and fascinating. Even though it's a documentary, it will not put you to sleep! Go on--go see it. Even if you don't agree with it, you won't regret it. We all have a responsibility to be more active with these issues, and in the meantime it's a fascinating story.
    helpful•156
    69
    • veganskater
    • Jun 7, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 4, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • EV Confidential
    • Filming locations
      • Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, Rosamond, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Plinyminor
      • Electric Entertainment
      • Papercut Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,678,874
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $45,138
      • Jul 2, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,764,304
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.75 : 1

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