Electric cars might be widely available, fuel efficient and even popular, but to many people they still sound like a thing of the future.
Which is odd, because as the Science Museum points out in a new video and exhibition on 'Climate Changing Stories', it's actually a thing of the past.
In fact, the world's first electric vehicle was introduced back in 1897.
The electric Bersey taxi was a striking vehicle even at the time, and while it eventually lost out to its petrol-powered competitors it is still a beautiful, haunting machine.
Dr. Susan Mossman, who led the project at the Science Museum, said: "Climate Changing Stories offers a fresh perspective on our changing climate through the history of invention - showcasing the amazing human capacity to create and adapt in the face of change.
"The Science Museum collection shows the great feats of science and engineering throughout the ages, alongside possible visions of the future."
Climate Changing Stories is a free trail throughout the Science Museum that forms part of its three-year Climate Changing programme.
The free display opened on 27 June and run for a year until June 2013.