Back in college, in fuel & emissions/engine performance class, we were going over the details of different hybrid and full-electric powertrains. My teacher brought in a rare part he borrowed from one of his coworkers.

This is one of the control panels from a GM EV1. It has the shifter, power on, and climate controls. Parts like this are relics.

The GM EV1 was an all-electric car that was produced from 1996 to 1999 and leased to customers. When they decided it probably wasn’t going to be a profitable vehicle, they took them all back and crushed almost all of them, donating a few to museums. The only one that is in operational condition is at the Smithsonian Institution.

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-Dan