Well, the first electric vehicles were referred to as EV's though they each had a more specific designation. One of, if not the very first such cars made were produced by GM in 1990, the 'impact' which was apparently made available through a 3 year lease. Many companies would rise up to make their own such cars, though over time would largely scrap them altogether in what many would consider to be a manner of conspiricy. Now, hybrid cars seem to be nearly as electric and friendly to the environment as one can get.