Electric cars originate from an idea that is almost 200 years old and whose time has come again. Ever since the power of the electrical current was discovered in the early 18th century, scientists and mechanical designers have tried to harness the power to cause reliable movement in transport vehicles.

Although, electric cars were once designed by car manufacturers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the gas powered engine became the automobile that was manufactured by all car manufacturers just a few decades later. These early vehicles were called electric carriages and horseless carriages. The first electric carriage was designed by the Scotsman Robert Anderson during the 1830s. By 1899, an electric racing car was able to reach 68 miles per hour, which created a new world record for land speed.

Electric cars continued to have success with consumers until the 1920s. At that time, improvements to the road systems, manufacturing processes and lower oil prices led manufacturers to focus on the internal combustion gas engine that could travel for longer distances without the need to crank the battery for more power. Better manufacturing processes allowed manufacturers to churn out combustion engines more efficiently and with less cost to the consumer.

Car designers continued to quietly work on and improve the design of the electric car even though the electric car virtually disappeared from the public eye. The electric car underwent design changes that were meant to improve its performance in both speed and give the car long lasting power. Nowadays with a greater need to find sustainable ways of transportation that cause less harm to the environment, electric cars have gained a greater acceptance again among the public and manufacturers.

The electric car that offers the most sustainability is the solar powered electric car. Solar powered electric cars do not release any harmful emissions to the environment. Solar powered electric cars are powered by solar panels or high efficiency fuel cells.

It is possible for the car enthusiast with mechanical skills to design and build their own solar powered electric car from a kit. These kits offer different designs and assembly plans that can be used on roadways that have speed limits of less than 35 miles per hour, recreational areas and some gated communities. If the car owner does not have the skill necessary to build the car, the car owner can pay for such building services from an professional mechanic.

There are battery kits that can be used by consumers to turn their lightweight small car into a solar powered electric car. Such kits can be safely installed by car mechanics who have been familiarized with installing such kits. The change from a fuel powered car to an electric car involves switching the existing car battery with a lithium charged battery that is solar powered and rechargeable.

Solar powered electric cars offer great benefits to the consumer in terms of cost and less environmental damage. Whether the car is built or converted to a solar powered electric car, it will satisfy the owner's desire for a reliably powered car. As electric cars gain popularity again, the most green car is the solar powered electric car.