Having previously reached a peak in popularity during the early 1900s, electric cars gradually fell by the wayside - with petrol and diesel-powered vehicles becoming massively popular amongst the masses. However, with petrol and diesel prices continuing (at the time of writing) to rise at a considerable rate, many vehicle owners are again turning towards electric cars.
With a revival once considered a thing of the distant future, modern electric cars are now being adopted at a much faster rate than hybrid cars were when manufacturers first introduced them.
Curbing carbon emissions by a significant amount, and boasting highly stylish designs featuring a futuristic edge - not too different from their petrol and diesel-powered counterparts - it isn't difficult to see why cars, such as the Peugeot iOn and the Chevrolet Volt, are becoming so popular.
Featuring a rechargeable battery, the running costs of an electric car are considerably cheaper than that of a standard car. These costs can be minimised further if the battery is charged overnight - using 'off-peak' energy.
They can also be charged via standard plug sockets - meaning that those who already own an electric car or potential buyers don't have to worry about buying a range of chargers.
Due to safety reasons, it is important that potential owners of electric cars have access to a garage or off-street parking - as having the charger cable lying across a pavement could potentially be dangerous.
Whilst not a great option for those travelling huge distances, electric vehicles are a perfectly viable choice for those who drive on average less than 100 miles per day - making cars, such as the Peugeot iOn, great for those city commutes.
Recent research has shown that some multi-car-owning households buy electric cars specifically for local journeys - favouring traditional cars for the longer trips. But, as technology advances, electric cars boasting much higher driving ranges are expected to become widely available to members of the public - which will eventually make this choice a practical option for those travelling up and down the country on a regular basis.
One of the key factors stopping electric cars from becoming a widespread sight on the motorways and streets of the United Kingdom is their price. A brand new small family sedan, for example, would cost, on average, around ?15,000, however, an electric car costs around double the price.
These higher prices are generally due to the cost of the technology incorporated into their designs. One such piece of technology featured is regenerative braking - this sees the vehicle's battery topped up each time the brakes are applied. Regenerative braking is an incredibly useful feature as it can increase a cars range by as much as 20 per cent.
Although the relatively high prices are expected to remain commonplace for a good while yet, the price of batteries and electric cars has fallen in price over the last couple of years, and this trend looks set to continue - an encouraging sign for those conscientious car owners looking to switch to a greener alternative.
Electric cars have been around for a very long time, but have - as yet - failed to become commonplace on our roads. However, as technology improves and the price of batteries falls, we may see more of these eco-friendly vehicles being driven.