Electric cars were first invented in the 1830s but did not become popular until more recent developments. Electric cars use electricity instead of gasoline to power an electric motor, providing benefits like being eco-friendly, safe, and inexpensive to fuel while avoiding emissions. They consist of main components like lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries to store energy, an electric motor to convert it to movement, and a controller to manage the power flow. While electric cars have advantages in reducing emissions and fuel costs, their shorter driving ranges and need for charging infrastructure can be drawbacks compared to gasoline vehicles.