Allison Sheridan Drove the EV1
About this episode
Allison Sheridan’s EV1 driving story kicks off with a quick connection to a prior conversation about Kim Lundgren’s time with an EV1. Allison then places the EV1 in context—GM built an EV1 prototype around 1995 to generate excitement—and describes testing a prototype on a private runway, including dialing regenerative braking up and down. The hosts also trade EV acceleration talk (0–60 times) and pivot into Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose, tying back to Hughes Aircraft through the host’s 1979 work.
In this episode, we sit down with Allison Sheridan from PodFeet.com to discuss the GM EV1 and the SPRUCE GOOSE!
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General Motors Ev1
"...ow, because Kim and I talked about how she had an EV1 for a little bit or had the use of an EV1 for a l..."
The General Motors EV1 was an early electric car made by GM. It was designed to be driven like a normal car, but it used electricity instead of gasoline. The podcast mentions it because it’s a notable early example of an EV people could use.
The General Motors EV1 was an early electric vehicle program from GM, created to explore what battery-electric cars could be like for real-world driving. It’s often discussed in EV history because it represents one of the first widely known attempts by a major automaker to put EVs into customer hands. In the podcast context, it comes up as a personal story about someone having or using an EV1.
prototype
"So one of the, I have two distinct memories from it. And one of them was that this prototype had a dial where you could dial in or down the regenerative braking."
A prototype is an early version of a car that’s built to test new technology. It may not be the final design you’d see in production cars.
A prototype is an early, not-final version of a vehicle used to test ideas and systems before mass production. In this context, it suggests the EV1 program was still experimenting with features like adjustable regenerative braking.
regenerative braking
"And one of them was that this prototype had a dial where you could dial in or down the regenerative braking. Oh, cool. I thought that was an interesting idea..."
In an EV, regenerative braking helps slow the car down while also recharging the battery. It’s like the car uses its motor to slow down, and that slowing creates electricity.
Regenerative braking is when an EV slows down by using its electric motor as a generator. Instead of wasting the car’s motion as heat, it converts some of that energy back into electricity to recharge the battery.
Tesla Roadster
"Well, you know, Bodhi, I've always been thinking about where I could best contribute to your show... Steve and I both got to do this to drive the Tesla Roadster... This was the original Roadster."
The Tesla Roadster was one of Tesla’s first electric sports cars. People talk about it because it was surprisingly quick for an EV back when it came out.
The Tesla Roadster is Tesla’s early electric sports car, known for proving that an EV could deliver real performance. In this segment, the hosts specifically discuss the original Roadster (the first-generation car) and how it felt fast enough to surprise other drivers.
Tesla Model
"...p, while you do that, but I definitely bought the Tesla Model 3 performance because I love fast acceleration. I..."
The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV-style car. It’s meant for everyday use with extra space compared to a sedan, and it can come in versions that accelerate quickly. That’s why it may be mentioned when someone talks about buying a Tesla for performance.
The Tesla Model Y is an electric crossover/SUV built on the same general platform approach as the Model 3, but with a higher seating position and more cargo-friendly shape. It’s a common topic because it blends everyday practicality with electric power and can be ordered in performance-oriented trims. In this episode, it’s referenced in the context of choosing a fast-accelerating Tesla model.
Tesla Model 3 performance
"Mike and Vamp, while you do that, but I definitely bought the Tesla Model 3 performance because I love fast acceleration... I smoke them at the light."
The Tesla Model 3 is an electric sedan. The “performance” version is the quicker, more aggressive one, and the speaker likes how fast it can accelerate.
The Tesla Model 3 is Tesla’s mainstream EV, and the “performance” variant is tuned for stronger acceleration and sharper driving feel. Here, the speaker ties the Model 3 Performance to their enjoyment of quick launches from a stoplight.
0 to 60
"I love fast acceleration... I go from 0 to 35... So it looks like the first generation Roadster had a couple of 0 to 60s."
“0 to 60” means how fast a car can go from stopped to 60 mph. It’s a popular way to compare how quick different cars feel when you launch.
“0 to 60” is shorthand for how quickly a car accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph. It’s a common EV and performance-car metric because it captures launch strength and power delivery.
stop light
"I love going in front of... I love it when some jerk goes, you know, flying around me up to the stop light and then I smoke them at the light."
A stop light is the traffic light where cars have to stop. The speaker is describing how they like to accelerate quickly when the light turns green.
A “stop light” is a traffic signal where vehicles must stop, making it a real-world place to test launch acceleration. In this segment, it’s used to describe how the speaker enjoys quick starts against other drivers.
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