Image via Paul DiMarco
Los Angeles-based filmmaker Marvin Hayes on Saturday wrapped filming on a documentary centered around the electric vehicle (EV) revolution that is taking the automotive industry by storm.
Hayes and Patrick Pinsonneault, a realtor from Chatham, Ontario, who goes by the moniker “Mr. Tesla Canada” online, organized a get-together for EV owners on Saturday morning on the Windsor waterfront — reports the Windsor Star.
Pinsonneault owns three Tesla EVs, including one Model S and two rare Tesla Roadsters, and is the central figure of the documentary.
“My passion for cars started early, but I have owned a Tesla for six years,” Pinsonneault said. “When I drove my first Model S Tesla I was sold. The power, speed, reliability, lack of maintenance was undeniable. Even though I love the classics and hot rods, the electric is just a better buggy and it’s so fun to drive.”
Saturday’s meetup of EV owners was also attended by “Teardown Titan” Sandy Munro, a veteran automotive engineer and digital creator. The get-together was filmed against the backdrop of Detroit — the Motor City — across the water and part of it will be featured in the documentary.
Pinsonneault said the documentary is titled Tipping Point. “Are we at the tipping point of the electric vehicle catching up and taking over from the ice (gas-powered) engine?”
Hayes and Pinsonneault, both intrigued by the growing EV movement, decided to collaborate on the project after a chance meeting in San Diego. They’re hoping to market their documentary to Netflix once it’s completed in early 2023.
The documentary was shot in six different locations, including the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn and Niagara Falls. Filming wrapped up on Saturday, and the documentary will spend the next few months in post-production.
“Through this EV revolution we are just trying to give insight into these new cars,” said Hayes. “It’s fascinating. My point of view is everyone doesn’t know, so (the film) is just information. It’s not to pick a side with gas powered, but it’s just new information for people that don’t have it.”
Hayes too owns a Tesla. “Where I come from in California, gas is (US) $7 a gallon, so this has become something I’m really interested in. I have a 2022 Tesla Model 3 myself. I haven’t seen a gas station in six months.”
The electric revolution is rapidly picking up steam, with global EV sales doubling to 6.6 million units in 2021. All-electric automakers like Tesla and NIO are proving to be a challenge for legacy carmakers, most of whom have already made commitments to go all-electric by 2030 and beyond.
