Which electric car introduced the first mass-produced three-phase AC induction motor in a passenger car?

The General Motors EV1 introduced the first mass-produced three-phase AC induction motor in a passenger car.

General Motors launched the EV1 in the 1990s as a two-seat battery-electric coupe offered primarily through leases in California and Arizona. Its electric drive system used a three-phase AC induction motor, an important design choice because induction motors can provide strong performance without permanent magnets in the rotor.

The EV1’s first battery pack used lead-acid technology, while later versions used nickel–metal hydride batteries. The car was designed as a dedicated electric vehicle rather than a gasoline model converted after production, giving its designers freedom to optimize aerodynamics, packaging, and energy use.

Although the EV1 was not sold in large numbers and its leases were later ended, it became a major reference point in the history of modern electric cars. It is distinct from the Tesla Roadster, which arrived later and used a lithium-ion battery system.