8: Chevy/GM EV1
The EV1 is remembered as being the first mass-produced electric passenger car on the road. But GM managed to botch the onset of the EV1 in such a way that controversy followed. While the design of the EV1 is an evolution of the Saturn cars, it did have some unique takeaways. This was at a time when electric cars had to look “futuristic,” whereas electric cars nowadays are much more normal.

The range of the EV1 was minimal and the maintenance and dealership network was sparse. Another problem with the EV1 was the fact that it was only available as a lease with no option to buy. The owners of the EV1 wanted to buy the car but instead, GM decided to crush all but a few of them. This created outrage with environmentalists and spurred the documentary movie as well.