How fast does the EV1 go?

The EV1 travels from 0 to 30 mph in under 3 seconds and 0 to 60 in under 9 seconds. A modified EV1 prototype set an electric vehicle land speed record in 1994 at 183 mph.



How far will it go?

Expected real-world range is 55-95 miles for the high-capacity lead-acid EV1. Expected real-world range for the optional nickel-metal hydride EV1 is 75-130 miles. However, actual mileage and range will vary as a result of driving style, terrain, temperature and accessory usage, particularly as affected by ambient temperature and the use of heating and air conditioning.



How long does it take to charge?

High-capacity lead acid: At 70ºF, it takes up to 2-1/2 hours to charge from 20% to 80% state of charge using a 220-volt (6.6kW) charger. Approximately 5-1/2 to 6 hours are required for a charge from zero to complete using a 220-volt charger. Nickel-metal hydride: At 70ºF, it takes 6 to 8 hours for a charge from zero to complete.



Why was the EV1 lease only?

Since electric vehicle technology is still developing, a lease-only option creates a consistent cost of ownership for the EV1 customer. Saturn covers all routine maintenance and service under the terms of the 3-year/36,000 mile-warranty — this includes everything from the batteries to tires. Saturn also provides a 24-hour roadside assistance program to make every aspect of the EV1 lease worry-free.



How much does the vehicle cost?

Specific pricing information is no longer available. The following is a range of pricing that was available at the time the leases were being accepted in California and Arizona. The M.S.R.P. for the EV1 ranged from $33,995 to $43,995, depending on the model year and the battery pack. The monthly lease payment ranged from $349 to $574. The monthly payment could be higher depending on where the lease was issued. The reason for the variance had to do with government incentives for environmentally advanced cars, which vary based on the state and air quality district. The highest incentives were those available to customers living in some areas of California.



How much does it cost to charge the EV1?

Recharging costs for the EV1 depend on many factors, including the type of battery and the state of charge. The average cost to charge for both the lead-acid and the nickel-metal hydride battery packs decreases as the pack is more deeply discharged. This effect is most significant with the nickel-metal hydride pack.

Assuming your electricity costs 10 cents per kilowatt hour, and with a 100-mile trip, energy cost for the lead-acid EV1 is 2.6 cents per mile. Therefore, a 100-mile trip in the EV1 would cost $2.60. In comparison, a gasoline-powered vehicle that gets 22 miles per gallon has an energy cost of 6.82 cents per mile (assuming gasoline costs $1.50 per gallon). For a 100-mile trip in the gasoline-powered vehicle, the energy cost would be $6.82. Using this example, the gasoline-powered vehicle has an energy cost that is nearly three times higher than the EV1.

For the same 100-mile trip and electricity cost in a NiMH EV1, the energy cost would be 3.0 cents per mile. The 22 mpg gasoline-powered vehicle therefore has an energy cost that is more than twice the NiMH EV1.

The EV1 is capable of being charged from any level of discharge. Discharging the battery more deeply by driving farther between charges can minimize charging costs.



What equipment is standard on the EV1?

Air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD, air bags*, ABS with traction control, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, power dual outside mirrors, keyless entry/startup with security system, cabin preconditioning, daytime running lamps, electrically heated front windshield, and centrally-mounted digital display.

*A special note about children and airbags: Never carry an infant in an EV1. If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable for your child, move the passenger seat as far back as it will go. See the owner's manual for more safety information.



Can EV1s be serviced anywhere?

Only authorized EV1 technicians at participating Saturn retailers can work on an EV1.



What type of batteries power the EV1?

The EV1 is powered by a Panasonic high-capacity, valve-regulated lead-acid battery pack, which contains 26 12-volt modules capable of carrying 18.7 kilowatt hours of energy. An optional valve-regulated nickel-metal hydride battery pack is also available, containing 26 13.2-volt modules, capable of carrying 26.4 kilowatt hours of energy. There is also one underhood accessory module.



How often do EV1 batteries need to be replaced?

The batteries are maintenance free and are covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty, so the lessee never needs to worry about battery replacement.



Are these batteries recyclable?

The lead-acid battery pack utilizes the existing lead-acid battery recycling infrastructure, and is 98% recyclable. The nickel-metal hydride batteries are recycled through the battery supplier.



What is the difference between inductive and conductive charging?

Inductive charging is achieved without direct metal-to-metal contact. The charge paddle and the charge port are a high frequency transformer that can be taken apart (Note: they only work when together). Electrical energy is transferred via this electro-magnetic coupling. The charger takes the normal 60 Hertz electrical service and sends out the high frequency to the paddle which induces the companion high frequency AC in the charge port; that is then rectified and converted to DC (direct current) to charge the vehicle’s battery pack. (High frequency is used to reduce the size of the paddle and the charge port.) A communication link is also established between the charger and the battery pack computer — with the battery pack computer controlling the charger.

In conductive charging, connections are made by conductive (metal-to-metal) contact. AC electricity from the local utility or other source is transformed to the voltage required by the car's battery pack, converted into DC, and fed to the batteries.



What is regenerative braking?

"Regen" is the process of making the EV1's motor work like a generator when the brake pedal is pushed, or when the vehicle is coasting with the "coast regen" on. The kinetic energy of the vehicle (its mass and its velocity or speed) is converted back into electrical energy. The drive motor’s electronic controller changes the motor to a generator and converts its AC electrical output to DC for the battery. Depending on how much start-and-stop driving or speed changes are experienced, a 15 to 20 percent increase in the range potential of the vehicle can be realized. The nicest thing about regenerative braking is that you recover some of the energy that was expended to accelerate the vehicle. An added benefit is that this can also increase brake lining life.



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