In 1996, General Motors began leasing a new generation of electric cars to consumers. This car was leased to an individual in California from 1998 to 2000. It is the last one produced in the first series, which had lead-acid batteries; the second series had nickel-metal hydride batteries with greater range. GM developed the EV1 to meet a requirement for emission-free vehicles in California. It was aerodynamic and had a sophisticated, computer-controlled energy management and propulsion system. Many drivers liked the EV1, but GM chose not to mass-produce the car because of its projected high price and limited market.
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