In the 1990s, California did pass a bill that car manufacturers could sell vehicles in the state with a zero-emission option. This likely helped the creation of the EV1, perhaps one of the first more practical electric cars. GM's EV1 car, which traveled up to 80-100 miles and could accelerate from 0 to 60 in 7 seconds, made it one of the best electric cars to emerge from research funding from the 1970s. This remained perhaps the best electric car available and represented another small comeback in the 1990s when the car's production developed. GM had spent over 300 million dollars to help make the EV1 a viable vehicle. However, GM stated he never made money from this car, and eventually, it was killed off in 2001, with cars being recalled from their leasers. The car was only leased in a few states. Only slightly over 1000 of these cars were made.<ref>For more on the EV1, see: Mantle, J. (1995). <i>Car wars: fifty years of backstabbing, infighting, and industrial espionage in the global market</i>. New York: Arcade Pub. </ref>
By the 1990s, Japan had become a global leader in battery research. During this time, in 1997, a new car emerged, the Toyota Prius that changed the perception of efficient vehicles. The Prius, a brand that is still being made, is a hybrid that switched between electric and gasoline sources. In the early 2000s, the Prius began to be exported, which coincided with a sharp rise in gasoline prices and renewed environmental interests. The Prius' performance -matched many gasoline vehicles, selling over 10 million vehicles by the 2010s. This now also prompted companies to look for alternative vehicles that required no gasoline.
Smaller == The Emergence of Tesla and the Renewed Push for Electic Cars==A new car companiescompany, particularly primarily Tesla, has finally created a strong market for electric cars. In 2008, Tesla began production of the Roaster. The Roadster, which now gave unlike previous electric cars , had a long-distance battery. The Roaster could travel up to 200 miles without recharging, but the price of over $100,00 made it out of reach for many. NeverthelessThe car was intended to entice early adopters who could afford an expensive 2 seater. While it may not have practical, it created a buzz around Tesla and allowed the company to release several new more normal vehicles. Since the Roadster, Tesla has sold several new models in including the Model S, Model X, and Model 3. In 2020, Tesla sold almost 500,000 vehicles and became the most valuable automaker in the world. Buoyed by the 2010sTesla's success, other companies such as Nissan, BMW, FordChevy, and others began to manufacture electric cars at greater scales. These new cars, along with the Tesla Model 3, helped bring prices down to more affordable ranges for average consumers. Most electric By 2020, most of the cars today being sold or going to be produced in the future will have battery ranges of about 100 well over 200 miles and could go up . Volkswagen plans to sell 15 different electric car models by 2025. Other companies are beginning to 90 mphfollow suit. HoweverIn time, with increased research, the it is quite likely that electric car could likely cars will not only rival gasoline cars once againbut surpass them.<ref>For more on the emergence of the Prius and modern emergence of electric cars, see: Motavalli, J. (2002). <i>Forward drive</i>. New York; London: Random House International ; Hi Marketing. </ref>
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