1970s-1980s

The 1970s saw a renewed focus on alternative energy sources, including electric vehicles, due to the oil crisis. In 1979, the U.S. government set a goal of having 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 1985. However, the industry struggled to meet this goal, and the number of electric vehicles on the road remained relatively small.

In the 1980s, companies like General Motors and Chrysler produced electric vehicles with rechargeable batteries, but they were often expensive and had limited range. The vehicles were also often criticized for their performance and handling.