The electric car may seem like a modern marvel, it indeed is a marvel, but few of us know that it had its humble beginnings in the 19th century. The technology behind electric cars preceded those of the internal combustion engine found in the most modern cars today. After a century of gasoline driven near environmental collapse, we come back to where it all began; a full circle. The market forces that drove electric cars off the road in the start of the 20th century are the ones bringing it back once again.

Some advantages of electric cars that may change your views are discussed here:

Emission and Pollutants: The best part is that an electric car by virtue of an electrical propulsion system creates no emissions or pollutants. Hence the term environment friendly is easily identifiable with electric cars. Other alternatives like the ones with internal combustion engine will perhaps never be able to become zero emission vehicles, and will continue to pollute the atmosphere. Additionally electric cars are silent and do not cause sound pollution. Electric cars also reduce the carbon footprint of the owner as it reduces recurring emissions and pollutants.

Cost of ownership: An electric car may be more expensive to buy than a normal car. However, in the long run the cost of ownership is comparatively less. It is a well known fact that electric cars have a low maintenance profile and have minimal downtime. The comparatively low cost of fuel and energy efficiency gives electric cars a competitive running cost, thus giving value for money.

Efficiency: Here the equation is simple, electrical energy can be converted to mechanical energy at very high efficiency. This however cannot be said of internal combustion engine as fossil fuel is converted to heat energy, which is then converted to mechanical energy. There is loss of energy at all stages of conversion with efficiencies as low as 20%. Electric cars on the other hand directly convert stored electrical potential to mechanical energy, with very minimal loss. With the addition of technologies like solar power and regenerative braking, the efficiency of electric cars is increased dramatically.

Range: According to some studies on commuting behavior, nearly 80% of all car owners do not drive more than 50km on a daily basis. Electric cars on a single charge can deliver anywhere between 80 to 300 kilometers per charge. This offsets the much proclaimed limitation of electric cars. With the advent of newer technologies in electrical design and storage this range can be further enhanced and the cost per mileage decreased even further.

Reliability: Electric cars do not have engines that can break down; neither do they have bulky transmission systems that require extensive maintenance. They do not have gears either. Simply put lower the number of moving parts, lower the chance of a breakdown, hence higher reliability. Hence lower servicing and maintenance cost

Electric cars have much to offer us, advantages that may change the world for good. With the advancement in technology, electric cars have become more powerful, give more range and mileage and are comfortable. They provide an alternative which enables us to take a more proactive involvement in the wellbeing of our environment. They are also a great way to say that you care about your children's future.