The EV1 Archive — EV1 Museum

Specifications

Technical specifications and performance details of the EV1.

Color

Battery

Battery capacity16.4 kWh / 53 Ah (312 V)

Battery pack weight1,310 lbs

Range40–60 miles per charge*

Energy consumption26 kWh / 100 mi (city & highway)

Battery capacity18.7 kWh / 60 Ah (312 V)

Battery pack weight1,310 lbs

Range60–80 miles per charge*

Energy consumption26 kWh / 100 mi (city & highway)

Battery capacity26.4 kWh / 85 Ah (343 V)

Battery pack weight1,147 lbs

Range80–120 miles per charge*

Energy consumption34 city / 30 highway kWh / 100 mi

Home Charger MagneCharger WM200 (240V 6.6 kW)

Paddle

Mounting

Convenience Charger MagneCharger (120V)

Mounts in trunk

Power	102 kW (137 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Motor torque	150 Nm (110 lb‑ft) @ 0–7,000 rpm
Motor / transaxle	Three-phase AC induction; single-speed dual reduction, 10.946:1
Battery	AC Delco Lead Acid · 26 modules + 1 underhood
Top speed	80 mph (129 km/h), electronically limited
0–60 mph	< 9 seconds
60–0 braking	160 ft (49 m)
Drag coefficient	0.19
Charging (220 V)	5.5–6 hours · 6.6 kW
Charging (110 V)	22–24 hours · 1.2 kW convenience

Power	102 kW (137 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Motor torque	150 Nm (110 lb‑ft) @ 0–7,000 rpm
Motor / transaxle	Three-phase AC induction; single-speed dual reduction, 10.946:1
Battery	Panasonic Lead Acid · 26 modules + 1 underhood
Top speed	80 mph (129 km/h), electronically limited
0–60 mph	< 9 seconds
60–0 braking	160 ft (49 m)
Drag coefficient	0.19
Charging (220 V)	5.5–6 hours · 6.6 kW
Charging (110 V)	22–24 hours · 1.2 kW convenience

Power	102 kW (137 hp) @ 7,000 rpm
Motor torque	150 Nm (110 lb‑ft) @ 0–7,000 rpm
Motor / transaxle	Three-phase AC induction; single-speed dual reduction, 10.946:1
Battery	GM Ovonics NiMH · 26 modules + 1 underhood
Top speed	80 mph (129 km/h), electronically limited
0–60 mph	< 9 seconds
60–0 braking	160 ft (49 m)
Drag coefficient	0.19
Charging (220 V)	6–8 hours · 6.6 kW

Propulsion & electronics

Configuration	Transverse-mounted, front-wheel drive
Motor type	Three-phase AC induction, electric
Power inverter	IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor)
Battery packs	26 valve-regulated lead-acid or NiMH modules; 1 underhood accessory module
Chargers / charge port	UL listed; indoor charging (see product marking)

Body & chassis

Layout	2-passenger coupe
Structure	Aluminum alloy; welds, rivets, structural adhesive
Exterior panels	Hood, doors, roof, trunklid: SMC. Fenders, quarters, rockers, skirts, bellypan: RRIM polyurethane. Dent- and corrosion-resistant; 100% recyclable.

Suspension

Front	Aluminum short/long arm; coil over shock; stabilizer bar
Rear	Multi-link aluminum beam, Panhard rod; enhanced geometry for 1999

Steering

Type	Electro-hydraulic, power rack-and-pinion; speed-sensitive, variable-effort
Ratio	16.5:1
Turning diameter	32.5 ft (9.9 m)
Lock-to-lock	3.0 turns

Braking

System	Electro-hydraulic front, electric rear; blended regenerative + ABS
Front	9.65 in (245 mm) solid discs; aluminum calipers
Rear	8.9 in (225 mm) metal-matrix composite drums; electric actuation
Parking brake	Electric actuation via gear selector or push button

Wheels & tires

Wheels	14 in aluminum alloy
Tires	P175/65R14 Michelin® Proxima; all-season, self-sealing, puncture-resistant

Safety

Features	ABS; traction control; tire pressure monitoring; air bags; 3-point shoulder/lap belts; projector low-beam / reflector high-beam headlights; DRL; keypad entry with PIN; electric windshield & rear defoggers; solar reflective glass

Comfort & convenience

Features	Power windows, locks, mirrors; cruise with grade control; AM/FM cassette + CD, 4 speakers; heat-pump climate control, preconditioning, CFC-free A/C; VF instrumentation; delayed interior lights; intermittent wipers; remote hood/trunk; 4-way adjustable buckets; carpeted cabin & cargo, cargo net

* Range varies with driving style, terrain, temperature, accessories. Specs sourced from TZEV Beata Collection.

About the EV1

Original advertisements, promotional materials, and marketing campaigns.

Charging

INDUCTIVELY COUPLED

110-VOLT OR 220-VOLT

WALL OR FLOOR MOUNTED

EASY OPERATION

PROVEN SAFE

GROWING INFRASTRUCTURE

EV1 Gen 1 chargers — 240V MagneCharger and 120V convenience charger

Charging in the rain — inductive charging is safe in wet conditions

Edison EV Electric Vehicle Charger — wall or floor mounted, inductively coupled

The 220-volt charger (far left) can restore deeply discharged (85% depleted) batteries to full strength in about three hours. With the 110-volt portable charger (left front) mounted in the EV1's trunk, the charging process takes up to 15 hours.

Aerodynamics

RAINDROP SHAPE

0.19 DRAG COEFFICIENT

UNDERBODY PANEL SYSTEM

RECESSED WINDSHIELD WIPERS

HIDDEN ANTENNA

REAR WHEEL SKIRTS

EV1 aerodynamics — raindrop shape, 0.19 drag coefficient

Unlike most cars, the EV1 has a smooth underside and a rear track that's nine inches narrower than the front. Both features help give the EV1 a drag coefficient of 0.19. 25% lower than any other production car. A foil antenna built into the underside of the roof replaces a typical radio antenna.

Body and Chassis

RIGID PLATFORM

LIGHTWEIGHT SUSPENSION

ELECTROHYDRAULIC STEERING

TIRE-PRESSURE MONITORING

REGENERATIVE BRAKING

BRAKE-BY-WIRE TECHNOLOGY

Environment

ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE

RECYCLABLE BATTERIES

RECYCLABLE STRUCTURE

RECYCLABLE BODY PANELS

EV1 — zero emissions, clean transportation

Battery Pack

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

26 BATTERY MODULES

VALVE REGULATED

MAINTENANCE FREE

EV1 battery pack — lead-acid or NiMH modules

On the EV1, each 22 kilograms (48 pounds) equals a mile of city driving range. The result: the EV1 weighs just 2,970 pounds, with every last ounce carefully justified to be certain it contributes to a more efficient car.

The battery pack has 26 maintenance-free, valve-regulated, lead-acid modules (98% recyclable). Made from 100% recycled or reclaimed lead, the battery pack carries the energy equivalent of half a gallon of gasoline.

The battery pack controller is one of seven computers that communicate via a "party line" to monitor and control vehicle systems from interior temperature to battery pack state-of-charge.

The battery electrolyte is contained in absorbent fiberglass mats, densely layered between thin lead plates. The result is a more compact and lighter battery with virtually no potential for leakage.

Propulsion service battery disconnect.

Interior Features

AIR CONDITIONING

PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM

CRUISE CONTROL

POWER WINDOWS/LOCKS

PRECONDITIONING

AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE

EV1 interior — climate control, power features, keypad entry

You don't need a key to get into the EV1 or to start it. Just enter your personal identification number.

EV1 keypad entry — personal identification number

Performance

183-MPH SPEED RECORD

AC INDUCTION MOTOR

0-30 IN UNDER 3 SEC.

DUAL REDUCTION GEAR DRIVE

EV1 performance — 137 hp, 0–60 under 9 seconds

Safety

ALUMINUM STRUCTURE

SIDE-IMPACT DOOR BEAMS

DUAL AIRBAGS

ABS/TRACTION CONTROL

EV1 engineers developed an aluminum structure where all elements are bonded together into a single rigid unit. It is the lightest, stiffest and simplest for any vehicle of its size in the world.

Intelligent software constantly monitors driving conditions, engaging traction control or anti-lock brakes to help avoid hazardous situations.

EV1 brakes — traction control, anti-lock braking

Dual airbags are standard. So are side-impact protection, daytime running lamps, crumple zones and a host of other safety features intended to give drivers peace of mind.

The EV1's chargers and charge port are listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL has helped generations of Americans learn how to use electricity and appliances safely.

Theater

Documentaries, commercials, and video about the EV1. Explore the full video library.

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Timeline

Key moments in the EV1's history from concept to cultural legacy.

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In the News

Press coverage, articles, and media reports about the EV1 throughout its history.

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Gallery

Photographs, images, and visual documentation of the EV1.

Paint Colors

1997 EV1 exterior paint options and factory codes.

The 1997 EV1 was listed with three exterior colors, each with a GM option code and WA paint code.

Option Code	WA Code	Color	Series
81	8774	Bright Red	EV1
45	9539	Medium Green Metallic	EV1
36	121A	Light Adriatic Blue Metallic	EV1

VIN Registry

Registry of known EV1 vehicles by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Format

The EV1 uses a standardized 17-character Vehicle Identification Number that encodes information about origin, series, safety equipment, motor, model year, assembly plant, and production sequence.

VIN Format Examples

EV1 format (1997 example):

4G5PX2259VO200001

VIN Structure Breakdown

Positions 1-3 4G5 World Make Identifier (General Motors electric vehicle)

Positions 4-5 PX Carline/Series EV1 with sales VIN code X

Position 6 2 Description code (2 door coupe)

Position 7 2 Restraint system (manual belts with driver and passenger inflatable restraint)

Position 8 5 Engine/motor code (102 kW AC induction, LN1)

Position 9 9 Check digit

Position 10 V Model year (1997)

Position 11 O Plant of manufacture (Lansing Craft Centre, plant code 0)

Positions 13-17 00001 Plant sequential number

Additional Notes

Note: Position 9 is the check digit and is used to validate the VIN mathematically.

The example shown is a 1997 EV1 format VIN using model year code V and Lansing plant identifier O.

EV1 VIN Collection

Historical VIN registry compiled by Tom Dowling (Revised 8/15/1999)

GM EV1 Roster

Comprehensive registry of EV1 locations and ownership

Explore the original gmev.com

Browse an archived copy of the official GM EV1 website as it appeared in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The site includes specs, features, charging guides, news, and more from when the EV1 was in production.

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