Back in 1996, General Motors launched one of its most controversial models ever, the EV1. Now, the Chief Engineer for Traction and Thermal Systems behind the project has found a new position at Faraday Future.
Since its inception, about two years ago, Faraday Future has been successful in convincing an impressive number of important auto execs to join the company; from Tesla manufacturing leadership to former CEO of Ferrari North America.
Electrek notes that Faraday Future managed to recruit electric propulsion expert Peter Savagian from GM, as the engineer confirmed the move on his LinkedIn profile. Savagian will be leading powertrain engineering operations at the California-based startup.
Moreover, the reports says that Faraday Future is rebuilding the EV1 team, as Savagian is joining several of his former EV1 colleagues, including Silva Hiti, Young Mok Doo, and Steven Schulz, who are building Faraday’s power electronics.
The EV1 was the first mass-produced and purpose-designed electric vehicle from the modern era of motoring. Back then, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) passed a mandate that made the production and sale of zero-emissions vehicles a requirement for the seven U.S. major automakers to continue selling their products in California. But the EV1 was made available through limited lease-only agreements, being described as a “real-world engineering evaluation”.
Moreover, after CARB regulation was litigated the in court by the major automakers, GM repossessed all EV1 models and deliberately destroyed them. About 40 units were delivered to museums and educational institutes with their powertrains deactivated, under the agreement that the cars won’t be fixed or driven on public roads.
This move determined various factions to accuse GM of self-sabotaging its electric car program to avoid potential losses in spare parts sale, and the oil industry for conspiring against electric vehicles.
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