With the ever rising petrol and diesel prices the only viable solution that remains is to use cars with non-conventional and renewable or cheap sources of energy. Over the years numerous research studies and development of concept cars have taken place that aim to utilize non conventional energy. Active research has been done in the field of solar powered cars because of the cheap and renewable energy given by sun. A major drawback in solar powered vehicles is the low amount of energy generated by the solar power and the high price of solar panels.

Other than solar powered vehicles electric cars are the only viable option that remains as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels like petrol or diesel. Electric car works with the help of electric motors and electronic motor controllers. This type of technology makes the use of internal combustion engine obsolete, since these cars do not have combustible materials they are considered pollution free. An electric vehicle usually derives its power from batteries stored inside the car. These rechargeable batteries are usually charged when connected by an external power supply. Electric vehicles are used as cheap and environmentally safe cars, light trucks as cheap transportation of goods and neighborhood electric vehicles for efficient and eco friendly public transport.

Electric cars were one of the first cars to be developed by human kind. The battery plays an important role in an electric vehicle. The advancement of power storage techniques in batteries acted as an essential push for the development of better and efficient electric cars. Many countries like Canada, Israel, Portugal and United States have special rules and regulations for the electric powered vehicles.

Major advantages of electric cars include:

• Cheap running cost: This is one of the major benefits of the electric cars; an electric car runs on electricity which is far cheaper then its counterparts like petrol and diesel.
• Low maintenance: As there are practically no moving parts an electric car there is a much lower maintenance cost.
• User friendly: Most of the electric cars are user friendly as the driver has to face no hassles of going to a petrol pump for filling petrol or diesel in their cars. The best thing about recharging an electric vehicle is its ability to be charged at home on a normal electricity board.
• Pollution free: Being pollution free is the major marketing technique advertised by the electric car manufacturing companies. The feeling of driving a car that is cleaner and greener far exceeds the feel of a petrol guzzling monster.

A new technology takes a lot of patience and marketing to let the people know that it is beneficial for them. The same is the case with electric powered vehicles. Many people believe that the use of electricity powered vehicles is filled with hassles as the supposed battery life of an electric vehicle is limited and would require replacement. In fact on the other hand, due to breakthrough research in the field of electricity storage the battery life has improved drastically. The biggest setback of a commercially available electric vehicle is its low speed and comparatively lower capability to carry weight.