As gasoline and other natural fuels become less plentiful and more expensive, more people are looking to buy electric cars. Electric cars use advanced storage batteries to power an electric motor which propellers the car. These cars have been around for many years, but due to the previous abundance of oil and the huge industry built around oil usage, the U.S. failed to focus on the importance and need for electric cars. Many other countries already mass produce electric cars. What are the benefits of an electric car?

Unlike gasoline fueled cars, electric cars are powered by an electric motor and storage batteries. Storage batteries can be recharged many times before they have to be replaced. These batteries can be recharged by using solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, or nuclear energy. All of these sources are renewable energy sources. Gasoline, on the other hand, is a limited resource. Once it is gone, there will be no more for a few million years.

Another advantage of electric cars is weight and weight distribution. With most gasoline powered cars, the engine's weight causes the front of the car to be heavier than the back. This decreases both vehicle stability and fuel economy. Electric cars have a much better weight distribution because the major weight item is the storage batteries, which can be arranged in any configuration. The electric motor can also be moved to various locations within the vehicle to achieve a better weight distribution. These factors help increase fuel efficiency and how long the vehicle can run on a single charge.

The next advantage is aerodynamics. A car's aerodynamics is a measure of how well a car moves through the Earth's atmosphere. A more aerodynamic car will have a lower drag coefficient and will require less energy to move through the atmosphere. One of the most important determining factors for aerodynamics is the vehicle's frontal area. With most gasoline engines, the frontal area is governed largely by the engine and the radiator. Electric cars, on the other hand, do not have radiators. This allows for a smaller more aerodynamic frontal area which leads to a lower drag coefficient and more fuel efficient vehicle.

Hybrid vehicles are a cross between gasoline powered cars and electric cars. Most hybrid cars are electric cars equipped with a gasoline powered generator for heavy demands and recharging the storage batteries. These vehicles still use some gasoline, but at a much reduced rate.

Electric cars have many advantages over their gasoline counterparts. The current limiting factor for electric cars is the storage batteries and cost. Scientists continue to work on new battery designs trying to increase battery life and energy storage capacity. If more people were to buy electric cars, the cost needed to produce them would decrease. As government regulations continue to focus on the environment and more fuel efficient cars, electric cars may soon be the answer.