Since the oil reserves in the world are slowly being depleted and new technological advancements in producing electricity is further developed, the new trend in vehicles is running them using electricity. New Hybrid cars which are dual-powered are using electricity to induce mechanical energy making them run. These cars combine battery-powered electric motor with internal combustion engines. The gasoline engines built inside a hybrid car is relatively smaller and has greater fuel efficiency than conventional cars.

Research and development of electric cars had started a longtime ago. Since the world is having problem with the oil reserves, electric cars are now introduced in the market. Electric cars have apparent advantages in terms of their environmental impacts. They do not emit pollutants at all and is very efficient in terms of energy consumption.

Most people think that electric cars which are run by charged batteries need to be plugged for it to store electricity. This misconception is not true. The electricity stored in hybrid cars' batteries came from the captured kinetic energy when the breaks of the car are used. This conversion of kinetic energy from the breaks to electric energy is called regenerative breaking. Other hybrid cars use the engine to turn an electrical generator generating electricity and storing it to the battery of directly feed it to the electric motor of the vehicle that keeps the car running.

In general, there are two types of hybrids: that is mild hybrids and full hybrids. Mild hybrids which are also known as Stop/Start hybrid system do not use the electric motor and gasoline engine at the same time. Mild hybrids work using the electric motor first. It will then enhance or improve the function of gasoline engine by allowing the electric motor do the tasks that requires more fuel usage like rapid acceleration, climbing hills and even starting the car. In contrast to mild hybrid, the full hybrid cars let the electric motor and gasoline engine work at the same time. The gasoline engine automatically shuts off and allows the electric motor run the car during traffic hours which could use more gasoline and travel shorter distance. Two of the acknowledged hybrid electric cars are the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV which is also now developed is known to power the vehicle without using its gasoline engine. This is a pretty good development since that car will not be using gasoline anymore since it will be using larger battery pack. It has charge-sustaining modes allowing the car to power itself for its maximum efficiency.

The only limitation of hybrid electric cars is that it travels at relatively lower speed than gasoline fueled cars. This limitation is further studied. Even the sports cars are also equipped with electric motors.

Ruf Automobile GmbH which is a well known manufacturer of sports cars developed its eRuf model A take the place of the Porsche 911's flat 6 engine with a UQM PowerPhase 150 electric impulsion system powered by lithium-ion batteries. The electric motor offers a top speed of 140 mph. This sporty hybrid electric car is the new trend in sport vehicles and this also shows that environment friendly cars don't have to be unexciting. You could enjoy driving your car while helping the environment.