This illustrated history of electric and hybrid vehicles covers the companies that produced various models; the politics that have surrounded them; the environmental aspects of electric and hybrid vehicles versus internal combustion engines; the history of efforts to overcome technological challenges associated with electric vehicles; a history of marketing strategies; and a synopsis of attitudes towards these vehicles throughout their existence.

Most people assume electric and hybrid cars live mostly in the future, or at nearest on the cutting edge of today, but research analyst Curtis and Judy (reference librarian, Concordia U., Portland, Oregon) chronicle over a century of history for them. For readers without a technical background, they look at innovations in design, marketing strategy, government involvement, and environmental issues. They do not consider public transportation.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Far from being a modern conception, electric cars were among the first vehicles on the road. In the formative days of the automobile, a third of cars were electric, and they challenged internal combustion engine-driven vehicles for primacy. Economic and environmental concerns have periodically revived widespread interest in electric cars and hybrid vehicles, and the quest for a non- or less-polluting vehicle that meets consumer's performance demands continues today. The story of the electric car is a long one, and it is still being written. This illustrated history of electric and hybrid vehicles covers the companies that produced various models; the politics that have surrounded them; the environmental aspects of electric and hybrid vehicles versus internal combustion engines; efforts to overcome technological challenges associated with electric vehicles; marketing strategies through the decades; and public attitudes towards these vehicles throughout their existence. An appendix lists important dates in the history of electric cars, and a glossary defines associated acronyms.