--- title: "Inside GM’s Decision to Help Restore a Rare EV1 for the First Time Ever" date: "2026-03-17" modified: "2026-03-17" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/inside-gms-decision-to-help-restore-a-rare-ev1-for-the-first-time-ever" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "GM News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "GM" --- # Inside GM’s Decision to Help Restore a Rare EV1 for the First Time Ever ![]() *\The Questionable Garage via YouTube\* In October, we shared news that all lovers of weird, forgotten cars were buzzing about: That someone had purchased a General Motors EV1 from a court order sale for [the eye-watering sum of $104,000]() with the intention of giving it a full restoration. If you know about the EV1, you know why this was such a huge deal: GM *never* sold these cars; they were leased to owners during the two model years they were built, 1997 and 1999, recalled back to the company starting in 2003, and then most were unceremoniously crushed. A few survived, however, like this one—VIN 212—and GM has even agreed to participate in its restoration. What's going on? YouTube channel [Questionable Garage]() is documenting every step of the restoration journey. (They're not to be confused with [the other YouTube channel]() that initially made waves with this car; it appears multiple channels may be participating in #212's rebirth.) [The news got GM's attention](), which led to an invitation to visit the company's Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, to check out some of its other important EV landmarks throughout history and chat with GM President Mark Reuss. We, like many, have been curious about the change in corporate tune. Sure, EVs are now a part of GM's core brand in a way they obviously were not 20 years ago. Yet, even in the days of the Volt, and then the Bolt—and even though the EV1 was an achievement you'd reckon any brand should be proud of—the automaker has rarely gone out of its way to acknowledge it. It's with these thoughts swirling that I put the question to the company: What inspired the decision to get involved now? Here was the PR team's official answer: "We're proud to support this project and excited to watch it unfold. The EV1 represents an important chapter in electric vehicle history and in the broader evolution of EVs. Supporting the restoration of V212 reflects our commitment to preserving that legacy and recognizing the engineers, designers and innovators who helped pioneer early electric mobility. When we saw the passion that Billy, Jared and the Questionable Garage team were bringing to this restoration, it felt like exactly the right moment to lean in, because the spirit of innovation that drove EV1 is the same spirit driving our EVs today." That response, while refreshing and coming in with the right attitude, doesn't necessarily explain the change in heart. But we have a little more insight. A GM spokesperson told *The Drive*, "Someone sent Mark Reuss the video of the auction of the EV1. After watching the video Reuss emailed his team noting that GM had restored their EV1, which now runs, and wondered if they could reach out to the winners of the auction and help with their restoration project of this historical artifact. Arguably this is the car that spawned the modern-day EV. His team responded that they’d look into it and see what could be done." GM also provided a follow up statement *to The Drive*, "GM has a dozen EV models available today and has repeatedly stated its commitment to an all electric future. EV1 212’s auction – something that’s never happened before – came at a perfect time for us to show what GM is all about. Mark Reuss was thrilled from the outset to be part of this docuseries and to have the opportunity to share GM’s history.” ![A man recharges General Motors' environmentally friendly car, the EV1 (Electric Vehicle 1). (Photo by David Butow/Corbis via Getty Images)]() ![General Motors' EV1 (Electric Vehicle 1). (Photo by David Butow/Corbis via Getty Images)]() ![General Motors' environmentally friendly electric car, the EV1 (Electric Vehicle 1). (Photo by David Butow/Corbis via Getty Images)]() Another individual, formerly involved with the EV1 project, told us that they didn't expect the sudden about-face. "I was as surprised as anyone, not only did all this happen, but then GM [published it on their own page]()," they said. This person noted that EV1 communities on Facebook and Discord are "going nuts," especially given the timing of this, around the 30th anniversary of the car's production start and 20th anniversary of the documentary *Who Killed the Electric Car?* They offered another tidbit to really couch the massive shift in strategy. "Historically, when Western Washington University brought a donor car to an event, GM threatened to take away the car," they added. The latest episode of Questionable Garage's series begins with the Reuss interview. I won't spoil it—[you should go listen to the whole thing yourself]()—but Jared, the channel's host, and Billy, the EV1's owner, start by asking Reuss why he's so interested in their project. The executive mentions a personal attachment to the EV1 because his father was involved in its creation, and says that he's wanted to rescue random examples that have popped up in the past. He also centers on one piece of paperwork Jared and Billy came across during the sale. In Reuss's words: "One of the coolest moments in the show for me, because I had never seen it, was the actual sheet of paper that went with those cars we donated, which—I didn't know that. It says, 'We will not ever help you get one back on the road, we won't help you do this, we won't help you do that.' It's like, wow, this is a company that wasn't really fired up to continue anything around this, we're gonna have to scrap 'em, right? And so it was—I get it from a legal standpoint. But that was really what drew me into it." Later on, Reuss does reflect on regulations and the perception of GM in light of the EV1 saga. It isn't exactly revelatory, but that's kind of how this was always destined to go, the moment that GM finally decided to stop publicly disowning the car. ![]() *An excerpt from a legal document passed along with EV1s that were donated or otherwise preserved, saying the new owner must agree to never drive the vehicle, and it may be used for "educational or exhibition purposes only." *The Questionable Garage via YouTube** What took them so long to come around? Maybe there was some shame. Maybe it was the simple awkwardness of not knowing how to broach the topic—not knowing how to send such a message, after the seemingly extreme lengths decision-makers chose to go to burn away that part of the company's legacy decades earlier. Those are only guesses, of course, and maybe one day, better answers will prove them out or debunk them. For what it's worth, former GM CEO Rick Wagoner did once consider killing the EV1 project his worst decision. "It didn't affect profitability, but it did affect image," he told *[MotorTrend]()* already in 2006. What we do know is that Reuss and company are committed to doing what they can to assist #212's restoration. "Whatever you need, we'll help. We will," GM's president says near the end of the interview. "And if we can't, we'll tell you we can't. But it won't be because we don't want to—we might have the same problem you do," speaking to the challenge of resurrecting a car with antiquated, highly specialized electronics and software. It seems that at least the guys were able to source the windshield and quarter glass they needed from GM, which, in itself, is a monumental assist for the preservation of the only EV1 ever legally sold. ![Chelsea Sexton, 29, hugs Paul Scott, 52, during a vigil held outside of the General Motors Training Center on Riverside Dr. in Burbank, protesting General Motors plans to crush around 70 EV1 electric vehicles that are currently located in parking lot at the Training Center. Sexton and Scott are 2 of the organizers for the vigil that started back on February 16 and has been held every day since, 24 hours a day. Photograph at far left is of a GM EV1 electric vehicle. (Photo by Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)]() ![Mike Kane, left, and Earl Cox keep vigil in front of a General Motors facility in Burbank where the last few remaining EV1s are awaiting the scrap heap. Built and marketed in the 1990s, the EV1 is a rechargeable electrical coupe that can go from zero to 60 in eight seconds. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)]() ***Correction 3/17/26 11:17pm ET****: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that Reuss had to be “convinced” to support the restoration project. That quote was provided by a source whose identity we verified and who was in a position to know that information. After publication, GM responded with evidence showing that our source was wrong, and Reuss in fact wanted GM to offer the builders assistance from the beginning.* *The incorrect passage has been removed and the story has been updated. We sincerely regret the error.* *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()