I came across a documentary film called "Who Killed the Electric Car?" recently, which was out in the cinema in August. I got hold of a copy and it made for very interesting watching.
From 1996 to about 2002 General Motors were producing a car called the EV1 which unlike every other electric car made actually looked quite nice.
Pics
As well as looking good they had a range of 75-150 miles, 0-60 of 7 seconds, and a demonstrated top speed of 183mph (limited to 80mph on production model), and were charged using a charger that could be plugged into any mains outlet.
Most of the 1100 cars made were leased, and due to GM short sightedness, pressure and propoganda from the oil companies among other factors, the cars were recalled at the end of the 3 year lease period and eventually crushed. Only a few remain in motoring museums.
The next best hope for electric cars is a company called Tesla, who are making a Lotus inspired electric sports car with a 0-60 of 4 seconds and a top speed of 130mph, to be delivered to those who have pre-ordered them next year. They are also planning a mass market saloon due to start shipping in 2008.
Link
Some interesting facts:
The amount of electricity needed to create hydrogen from water to power a hydrogen fuel cell car, is about 4 times the amount required to power an electric car to go the same distance.
Electric cars create about 80-90% less CO2 in the production of the electricity they use, than petrol cars produce (including exhaust fumes, and the energy used to mine and refine the oil)