All within the last few years, the electric car went from being science fiction to a reality. But with a limited driving range of around 100 to 160 kilometers, many people are asking themselves if they are a viable alternative to the conventional car.

According to Forbes, the average American drives less than 50 kilometers in a typical day, from their home, to place of business, the gym, the grocery store, etc. And there are several different types of models to fit your individual needs.

A 100% battery-electric car like the Nissan Leaf or the newly announced Chevy Spark EV are great for short-range driving, and running errands, especially if you live in a city. Looking for the best of both worlds? The Chevy Volt can operate as an electric car on local roads, but has a small gasoline engine that kicks in to provide additional power on the highways.

Before you consider buying an electric vehicle, ask yourself these three questions: How far do you drive? Will an electric vehicle save you money? How will you charge your car?