Tesla caused a hype around EV cars and is probably the primary cause as to why everybody is talking about EVs.

I doubt regular manufacturers would have begun releasing real EV cars without their pressure.

marketing matters. electric cars have been around for 100 years, but they weren't getting any measurable adoption until Tesla came around and made them seem cool. I don't like a lot about Tesla or Musk, I'm not sure they have what it takes to mature, but you can't dismiss the effect their shenanigans have had on the industry.