3. GM EV1 (1996)
The GM EV1 was a visionary leap into the realm of fully electric vehicles, arriving long before EVs became a household concept. Its futuristic design and zero-emissions powertrain offered a glimpse of what would eventually become the backbone of brands like Tesla and Rivian. Despite its limited commercial run, the EV1’s legacy endures in every modern electric car on the road today. As Smithsonian Magazine notes, it proved that a cleaner, electric future was not only possible—it was inevitable.