For all the hate GM get the EV1 was way ahead of their Time. Its sad that GM didn't have the leadership that supported that effort. We would probably have viable low cost EVs by now.
What's the path they would have followed? The battery in the EV1 was crappy and expensive, is the thesis that billions of automotive dollars would have accelerated progress in battery research? Is it useful to lose money producing electric vehicles while doing that research?
Which GM did. The Chevy Bolt is the result. Pre-orders start today.[1] $37,495 before $7,500 Federal tax rebate. Claimed range 238 miles. Delivery in about 10 weeks.
This will change the auto landscape drastically. This is a product of the Chevrolet Division of General Motors. They're good at making and selling large numbers of cars. It may not be as cool as Tesla, but there will be millions of these things soon.