These cars could save the world!

In a world increasingly plagued by both global warming and rising oil prices, electric-powered cars could be viable solution.

Here, a plug is seen coming from the Chevrolet Volt electric car during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Electric cars are seen connected to a charge spot in central London.

Britain's motorists are to be offered up to pound 5,000 (about $7,500) to encourage them to buy electric or hybrid cars under a new government plan.

The Nissan Denki Cube electric concept car is shown at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

A man walks through a selection of electric and eco-friendly cars at the UK AWARE exhibition at Olympia in London.

Visitors look at an all-electric concept car called My Car, produced by the Newteon Company at the EVER Monaco 2009 in Monte Carlo.

This trade show is dedicated to ecological vehicles and renewable energies.

A Cleanova II electric car for the French public service La Poste is seen in the courtyard of the economy ministry in Paris.

Elon Musk, CEO and chairman of Tesla Motors, drives the Tesla Model S electric automobile during a media launch in Hawthorn, California, USA.

The car has a base price of $49,900 will have a range of 300 miles, with deliveries beginning in 2011.

Electric powered G-Wiz cars are charged at the roadside in central London.

The Smart Electric drive car is seen during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

A man drives a zero polluting car manufactured by Indian vehicle maker Reva Electric Car in Santiago.

The car runs on batteries and can be charged at home or work.

Stephan Hartmann, chief engineer of Switzerland's electric car maker, Mindset, drives a Mindset Six50 electric prototype car in Berlin.

The full electric car will have a range of about 100km (62 miles) on one charge of its lithium-ion batteries and solar panels built into the roof help charge the battery.

The Aptera 2e electric vehicle is driven down a road in Carlsbad, California, USA.

The Aptera is an egg-shaped two-seater often likened to a space-age car from the futuristic 1960s cartoon, The Jetsons.

Looking more like an aircraft than a road vehicle, it is a far cry from the hybrid sedans and electric sports cars being produced by conventional automakers.

To the executives behind the vehicle, its aerodynamic design and 100 miles per gallon (42 km per litre) range points the way to the future.