Book excerpt: Electric cars have come a long way since the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles hit the market in the late 1990s. Some modern electric cars boast a range of nearly 300 miles (483 kilometers) on one charge. And they're not all for the tame of heart. Some electric-powered sports cars can reach top speeds of 250 miles (402 km) per hour! Take young readers on a journey through the technology that makes electric cars so amazing.