The one thing about Who Killed the Electric Car that troubled me the most was that the movie seemed like it could have been made by the car companies as an advertisement. When the car companies put these cars on the market, they wanted to sell millions. Since they could not, due to certain factors like cost, and availability of charging stations, they pulled them all and scrapped the project. Why? So that they could wait until people where begging for them because of oil prices, or eco-friendly reasons. Getting the product sold before it ever hits the market. This film clearly points out that the car companies possess the technology to build these cars, and that they are a quiet and cleaner alternative to combustion engines. This is why it seems like a commercial to me. I believe the electric car was killed by the car companies as a marketing scam.
Electric cars seem like a reasonable alternative to me, if they can be made available to everyone. At the present even hybrid vehicles are out of most peoples price range, this allows the wealthy access to these vehicles and the savings that come with them and due to price alone the less fortunate not only have to pay for the expensive gas but suffer the low gas mileage rate of their combustion vehicle. Electric vehicles offer consumers some advantages that are not available in petroleum-powered cars, like electric vehicle drivers will not be exposed to air toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde that drivers of other cars are exposed to when they refuel their vehicles(Dunlap,1997).The electric vehicle by being able to charge it at home, instead of having to stop somewhere to fuel up, will save you time and not to mention money, since you won't be compulsive buying in a convenient store when you fuel up. Another reason electric is a good alternative is that by using electric we will be fueling our own economy, by paying the utility companies for our vehicles fuel and helping to break our addiction to foreign oil.
If electric or hybrid vehicles were less expensive I would own one. If public transportation were available were I live, I would take advantage of it as well, I already carpool when I can, and all of these help to preserve air quality and the environment.
The grassroots movement at the end of the film "Plug in America" is definitely a social movement. The members joined as a result of their shared belief that the electric car should not go away, not even temporarily. These people feel a camaraderie by standing for the idea toward social change. Sociologists believe that social change often creates conflict, and as we see in the film several protesters were arrested while demonstrating because of the destruction of the EV1, GM's electric car. People often participate in social movements to further a cause that they believe in, to gain a sense of belonging, and to find ways to define their lives. Despite their shortcomings, grassroots student initiatives are one of the most hopeful developments during a period when global climate change, resource wars, and the many other forms of contemporary ecological degradation that are robbing young people of their collective future are being challenged by all too few voices.
Depending on the cause, the vigilance of the supporters, and the size of the movement social movements can be successful and lead to social change. The civil rights movement is a prime example of this. Although alternative activities like war and terrorism lead to social change as well.
