Electric vehicles have been around for awhile and we have had them in our lives, sometimes without even knowing it. When my daughter was younger — she went through a phase of “Barbie”. Barbie everything…clothes, toys, including the popular Barbie Jeep. That was my first dealings with very basic electric car (or jeep in this instance!)information….keep it plugged up!! Nothing more disappointing that jumping into the ride and having no power….but I digress here.

Electric train, trollybuses, and trams can and do run on electricity. Some companies have gotten on the band wagon and have been using electric forklifts and golf carts for years. In more populated areas electric scooter are being used more often to get from point A to point B at a fraction of the cost.

Cars powered by electricity were some of the earliest automobiles. In the 1830′s the first electric carriage was invented. The storage battery was the main problem then and from that time the technology has constantly improved.

Today an automobile that is powered by electricity can be either a hybrid electric (HEV), using electricity and fuel, or a pure electric (PEV)source.

These forms of transportation produce no exhaust fumes therefore are better for the environment than our present gas powered automobiles.

One of the obstacles that has to be overcome is the mass powering of them. Electric companies worry about the electric pull on their grids.

This is becoming a very real possibility. Think Global, the Oslo, Norway, maker of alternate powered vehicles, announced that it is launching operations in the United States. General Motors also announced that it’s electric car phase has moved from planning to production. The Chevy Volt, (very appropriate) will be on the market sometime in 2010.