The force that drives your next automobile…

The wave of the future doesn’t smell like gasoline. In fact, it hums to the tune of 375 volts of electricity.

Meet the automotive company that’s changing the game in innovative transportation. Tesla Motors, a premium auto manufacturer based in Palo Alto, CA, is building the next generation of automotive tech: vehicles capable of traveling 270 miles without a single drop of gasoline. This feat is accomplished by utilizing a 60–85 kWh (kilowatt-per-hour) lithium-ion battery in combination with tiny engines attached to one or both drive axels — a union that produces zero emissions while the vehicle is running. Taking into account that all Tesla vehicles have carbon footprints smaller than a Prius, combined with a maximum acceleration rate that rivals Lamborghini and Ferrari, Tesla’s fabled performance harnessed through electric energy has become the unicorn of the auto industry — it cannot be caught, nor can it be

But that doesn’t stop others from trying. Chevrolet currently manufacturers the Volt, a vehicle that employs electricity and gasoline to shape a more efficient driving experience. Ford’s Focus Electric hatchback and Nissan’s Leaf, both capable of traveling 70 miles before running out of juice, are also available for purchase today. Upping the ante, Chevrolet plans to release the Bolt in 2017, an all-electric compact designed to travel 200 miles on a single charge. And there are plenty more electrifying vehicle options that bypass gas as a power resource.

Today’s drivers have grown accustomed to stopping at the gas station to fill up once or twice a week. With an electric vehicle, you simply plug your car into your home, via a special manufacturer outlet system, to charge every night; when you get up in the morning, your car’s battery is full, ready for another trek to and from your destination. This, of course, means your electricity bill may rise, but you will save time by eliminating gas station visits, conserve money in volatile gasoline costs, and you will reduce potentially harmful gas-fueled emissions. Not to mention, all electric vehicles come with a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500.

For more information on today’s hottest electric cars, including the Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Bolt and more, check out Car and Driver’s Best of 2016.

So which fuel source is most likely to power your next vehicle? Do you prefer gasoline? Are you interested in electricity as a means of propulsion? Maybe you’d like to consider a different fuel alternative altogether! Share your thoughts with a reply.