The Amectran Exar-1 was an electric sports car prototype developed by Edmond X. Ramirez, Sr. in 1979. The prototype was built by the Italian Designer and coachbuilder Pietro Frua.[1] The car was advertised by Amectran to be the "world's first production, electronic powered automobile".[2] The car was highly praised before the prototype was finished by the United States Secretary of Transportation. Unfortunately, the vehicle did not develop beyond a single prototype. Originally, BMW commissioned Pietro Frua to design the 1975 3.0Si concept for a 1975 autoshow. A few years later, he would reaquire the concept car and make minor changes to the car to support new electronics and a battery at the front. He then sent this chassis to Ramirez in Texas who began making it fully electric.