Although they were never produced in any signficant numbers, and is no longer being offered to consumers, GM's EV-1 was very advanced car.

Like the Insight, the EV-1 features an aluminum-alloy body to reduce the amount of energy the car uses. Both cars are also designed to achieve very low aerodynamic drag. The Insight and EV-1 both use a roughly teardrop-shaped body and smooth underbody panels. Both cars even have partially covered rear wheels. However, GM claims a better coefficient of drag (0.19) for its EV-1 than Honda claims for its Insight (0.25). Both cars also use low-rolling resistance tires.

The EV-1 is a battery electric car, meaning that it needs to be plugged in to be recharged. Initially, the EV-1 was only offered with   lead-acid batteries, which gave it a range of 55-95 miles. It later years, customers were also offered a version with nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries, the same battery technology used in the Insight. The NiMH batteries increased range to 75-130 miles, though somewhat decreased overall efficiency. The base price (used as basis for lease calculations) of $33,995 increased to $43,995 if you opted for NiMH batteries rather than the standard lead-acid batteries.

As with all battery electric cars, effective emissions levels for the EV-1 are difficult to estimate, as it depends a lot on how the electricity is generated. This will vary depending on what geographical area the car is used in, and also depending on whether it is charged during daytime or off-peak hours (nightime). In the worst cases, operating an EV-1 will produce more emissions than the Insight, while in the best cases the EV-1 will produce fewer emissions.

	Honda Insight	GM EV-1
Emissions & Efficiency
EPA Overall Green Vehicle Rating	(Among Subcompacts)	-
Energy Efficiency (city/hwy mileage)	61 / 70 mpg (5 spd) 57 / 56 mpg (CVT)	26/26 kWh/100mi (lead-acid) 34/30 kWh/100mi (NiMH)
HC, CO & NOx Emissions (As measured by xxLEV Standards)	ULEV (5 spd) SULEV (CVT)	-
EPA Smog-Forming Emissions Test (lbs / 15,000mi)	7.9 - 11 (5 spd) Less than 1.0 (CVT)	Less than 1.0
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Not measured by xxLEV)	3.1 t/yr (5 spd) 3.4 t/yr (CVT)	-
Range	~680 mi	55-95 mi (lead-acid) 75-130 mi (NiMH)
Performance
Acceleration, 0-60mph	10.6s (Car & Driver)	less than 9 sec.
Features
Format	3 door, 2 seat coupe	2 door, 2 seat coupe
Transmission	5 speed manual or CVT Automatic	Single speed
Technology
Propulsion	Charge-sustaining gas/electric hybrid	Battery Electric
Body Construction	Aluminum alloy monocoque	Aluminum alloy monocoque
Aerodynamic Drag	0.25 cd	0.19 cd
Price (U.S. Dollars)	$19,080 - 5 spd, no A/C $20,280 - 5 spd, A/C $21,280 - CVT	$33,995 (lead-acid) $43,995 (NiMH)