Using Google’s Law of Popularity, where the higher the amount of search results, the more common an item is, the words “Ugly Electric Car” trail only 356,000 results behind the words “Sexy Electric Car”.

This tells us that a large portion of the public perceive electric cars as ugly. The sad truth is, that public perception is not unfounded.

GEM-Electric-Car

Cars such as the golf cart-like GEM, with it’s bubble shaped roof and 35 mph (56 km/h) top speed has fueled the argument that electric cars simply cannot be made attractive. Many defendants of electric cars would then fight fire with marshmallows by pointing out such “beauties” as the Commuter Cars’ Tango which – despite it’s neck-snapping performance – only gets more laughter.

Sunmotor-Coupe-DX

Then of course we can’t go past the Sunmotor Coupe DX. You’ll need an active imagination for this one. The easiest way to describe it is this: Take an ordinary Smart Car from Mercedes. Insert a canoe. Now close the trunk. Hey presto, you have a Coupe DX.

twizy-electric-car

The list of  “Guilty” manufacturers goes on. Renault have created a certifiably hideous contraption called the Twizy, which comes with pentagonal tire covers and a bubble-shaped roof that makes it look like a mobility scooter with a personality disorder. Let’s hope that stays as far away from production as you would Typhoid Mary in a kissing booth.

2008_Tesla_Roadster

Thank God for the Tesla Roadster. It has single-handedly rescued the international image of electric vehicles from complete destruction. Though a lot of the thanks are owed to the English car maker Lotus, who created the frame for the Tesla Roadster. The similarities in design are obvious when you stand a Tesla Roadster next to a Lotus Elise.
The down side to the Tesla Roadster is the price tag. At $109,000 US dollars, people like you and me aren’t going to be slipping behind the wheel of one of these puppies any time soon.

So what do we do until attractive, affordable electric cars reach our price range? Put money in a jar while you ride a bicycle for 15 years? If you’re patient then sure, why not.

If you’re like me however, and just can’t afford to wait that long then my personal recommendation is to do what thousands of others are already doing:

Find a gas-powered car that stirs you deep inside and convert it to electricity yourself.

You’ll end up with a car that’s affordable, is one that you’ll love, and is like no other car out there.