the 30-40 mile range is false, early battery packs were on the order of 60 miles with a proper charge. that is assuming that it is not especially cold or humid that day. i had one through work for an entire summer, a proper charge got me a touch over 90 miles.
part of the reason (not the major reason) the cars were killed off was the expense to keep them on the road. suppliers refused to make parts after the initial run because GM did not build as many as promised limiting the return the suppliers would see.