As students at Howard University make their daily trek up Georgia Avenue, they might not realize the historical gem parked in the lot of the Lewis K. Downing building: a rare General Motors (GM) EV1 from the late 1990s. This bright red two-door car looks like an alien spacecraft compared to its modern counterparts and has been standing still for years. But fear not, Howard University is here to set the record straight—this EV1 is far from abandoned.
Key Takeaways
- The GM EV1 at Howard University is not abandoned despite its stationary state.
- This vehicle is a significant piece of automotive history, one of the few remaining original EV1s in existence.
- Howard’s clarification comes after another university-owned EV1 was mistakenly marked as abandoned and sold at auction for $104,000.
The story of the GM EV1 is a fascinating chapter in automotive history. In the late 1990s, General Motors produced only 1,117 of these cars before leasing them out to select individuals and then reclaiming them. Most were crushed, but around 40 survived—some for display at museums or universities like Howard.
Howard’s EV1 is one of the fortunate survivors. It has been parked in a lot near the Lewis K. Downing building for years, drawing curious glances from passersby. The university’s College of Engineering and Architecture asserts that while it may look abandoned, this vehicle holds significant educational value and is not forgotten.
However, Howard’s clarification comes at an interesting time. Another GM EV1, previously owned by Clark Atlanta University, was recently sold at auction for $104,000 after the university mistakenly marked it as abandoned. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for other institutions and highlights the importance of proper care and documentation for such rare artifacts.
The fate of Howard’s EV1 remains uncertain, but there is hope that one day this piece of automotive history might be restored to its former glory and perhaps even take to the roads again. Until then, it stands as a silent testament to the early days of electric vehicles and the ingenuity of GM’s engineers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Howard University feel compelled to clarify that its EV1 is not abandoned?
The clarification comes after another university-owned EV1 was mistakenly marked as abandoned and sold at auction. This situation underscores the importance of proper care and documentation for rare vehicles like the GM EV1.
What happened to other GM EV1s that were not crushed?
The remaining EV1s found new homes in museums, universities, and private collections. Howard University’s EV1 is one of those few survivors, preserved for educational purposes.
In the world where electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common, the GM EV1 stands as a relic from an earlier era of experimentation and innovation. Its presence at Howard University serves not only as a historical artifact but also as a reminder of the journey towards cleaner transportation.
