.
.
Electricity: Onboard rechargeable batteries power an electric motor. Unique among the alternative fuels in that mechanical power is derived directly from it, whereas the other alternative fuels release stored chemical energy through combustion to provide mechanical power.
.
Advantages
No tailpipe emissions!
They don't pollute the environment at all!
Electric vehicles
are by nature low-maintenance, and their simplicity (an electric motor
has one moving part, the rotor) means that, when produced in large numbers,
their price should be low compared to other vehicles
.
Disadvantages
Modern electric
vehicles have ranges between recharges of only 60 to 90 miles. (However,
General Motors has recently invented a new nickel metal hydride battery
that will increase ranges to 160 to 180 miles.)
Very expensive.
Electric vehicles are built in extremely small numbers--only hundreds per
year
.
