General Motors (GM) has signalled the final end to its development of the electric vehicle as an alternative to conventionally powered cars.

GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss said the company is taking back the remaining 375 of its 1,000 pioneering EV1s as their leases expire, because it cannot supply parts to repair them.

The vehicles were one of the contributing reasons to California's introduction of the zero emission rule in 1990 when the Air Resources Board sought to tackle the problem of pollution.

However, analysts say that the limited popularity of the electric car meant it could not effectively contribute to cleaner air or make sufficient profit.

The company says it is now focusing on reducing the emissions of traditional models, other hybrid electric models, and new natural gas-powered vehicles and the fuel cell program.