1950? Corvair Electric Prototype GM wanted to build an electric car way back in the 50's and here's the proof. This car based on the Corvair never made it to market. The gas powered Corvair was popular in teh 50's but later foudn to be an unstable vehicle and many people were injured and killed when it spun out of control during turns. Most likely because the engine was mounted in the rear of the car and the boxy shape distributed too much weight to the rear wheels.