An electric car is a vehicle that is powered by electricity.http://www.thefreedictionary.com/electric+car Electric cars usually have a plug-in battery and is driven by an electric motor.

Electric vehicles, in the past, needed to be charged after driving a short amount of time. Battery technology is improving and that helps to increase the energy storage and reduce the cost of the car.

Some of the advantages of electric cars are that they do not produce any tailpipe emissions and are cheaper to operate. Because of recent changes in oil prices, the acceptance of global warming and the success of the Prius, some manufacturers are working more seriously on electric cars.http://www.hybridcars.com/electric-car

A number of companies have been working on electric cars like the BMW Megacity, Ford Focus EV, Ford Transit Connect Electric, Mercedes Blue Zero, Nissan Leaf, Smart ED and Subaru R1E. These are just some of the electric vehicles that are available or soon will be available.http://www.hybridcars.com/electric-car

Electric vehicles were a trend in the 1890s and outsold gasoline cars ten to one. Two car companies, Oldsmobile and Studebaker, started out as successful electric vehicle companies with the first dealerships selling only electric cars. They later switched to gasoline vehicles. Electric vehicles started being limited to travel only in the city. By 1918, the production of electric cars for the general public had stopped and electric vehicles were being used for only taxis, trucks, delivery vans and freight handlers.

The late 1960s saw a change in the attitude toward electric cars. People started to be concerned about air pollution and oil. Electric vehicles were once again being seen but in low numbers.http://www.eaaev.org/History/index.html