I find the obsession with ev1 very US centric. There were many many other electric cars released before EV1. I think that documentary is to blame for this, GM was not the only company exploring EV's and there were other players as well. They just, for some reason or another, did not commit to it fully.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battery_electric_vehic...
It's nice, and special, and purpose built, and quasi-production, and so on. Not just a Peugeot hatch or BMW 2002 or VW Golf or some Aixam quadricycle bejaardewagen with an electric drivetrain crudely crammed in, but a proper car designed by a major manufacturer from the ground up as an EV. I think it's pretty cool. I wish somebody would take molds off an EV1 and sell a kit car or Miata body shell.