Who Killed the Electric Car – Again!
A Problem Based Learning Case Study into the Death of the EV1
Students investigate the disappearance of the first new zero emission vehicle, or electric car, in over 100 years. In 1900, electric vehicles outnumbered all other types of motor vehicles on the road. Gasoline powered engines where just beginning to appear and Henry Ford began to mass produce the internal combustion gasoline engine. By 1930 the electric vehicle was killed for the first time, because of the advances in gasoline powered engines.
In 1990, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandated a zero emissions vehicle law. This law stated that by 2003 ten percent of all vehicles sold in California would be zero emissions vehicles. The car industry’s answer to this mandate resulted in the resurrection of the electric car, called the EV1 and built by General Motors. By the turn of the century the electric car was on its death bed and then disappeared quickly for a second time in less than 100 years.
Solving a Mystery in Science
This problem-based learning case study is designed for middle school gifted science students or high school environmental science students. This mystery follows the tenants of problem-based learning, along with application of integrated science process skills.
The Problem
Who killed the EV1 electric car?
Materials
- Computers
- Access to Internet for research
- Free Video Who Killed the Electric Car
- Website “Who Killed the Electric Car”
Procedures
Students watch the video Who Killed the Electric Car?
Students are divided into groups and select a role from the following positions:
- Government Watchdog Group Member – concerned with government oversight of the car industry
- Car Industry Researcher – concerned with the lack of the industry to implement new technologies in cars
- Environmentalist – concerned with the increasing amount of air pollution caused by cars
- News Reporter – followed the story of the EV1 from beginning to end
- Scientist – researches applications of new technologies in cars
Next students research the:
- events leading to the CARB mandate and the death of the EV1.
- car industry in the development and sales of the EV1.
- role of consumers in purchasing the EV1.
- U.S. government actions in suing the CARB over zero emission cars.
- oil industry’s actions related to the develop and production of the EV1.
Students prepare a multimedia presentation to be presented in class providing their research, findings, conclusions, and recommendation regarding who is responsible for killing the EV1 electric car.
Student Questions
After each group has presented their findings and recommendations of who they think the guilty party(ies) is(are), ask the following questions:
- How could the introduction of the electric car been handled by the car industry to allow this car to be successful?
- What actions or controls could be placed on the oil companies to ensure they do not have the ability meddle in the advances in car technology?
- What actions could the U.S. government taken to ensure the survival and success of the EV1 electric car?
- What actions could the consumer taken to accept the EV1 electric car?
- What actions could the CARB taken to ensure their zero emissions mandate did not fail?
Additional questions are developed from the answers and questions of students?
Making Connections about Electric Cars
The death of the electric car case study requires students to use all their inquiry and research skills to determine who the guilty party(ies) are in this problem-based learning event. Students develop online research skills as they learn how to sort through information to make inferences and draw conclusions. The introduction of additional science case studies teaches students how to use reasoning skills to develop a logical answer to solve a mystery.
EV1 Electric Car
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