Why can't electric cars recharge themselves?

Recently I watched a documentary titled "Who Killed the Electric Car" and I think I know the answer. It was the car industry, oil companies, labor unions and the government. The reasons are as follows: Maintenance would have been simplified and many parts firms would have been put out of business. Oil is obvious with loss of revenue, labor unions were protecting the workforce and the government didn't want mass layoffs during that party's tenure. OK, all makes sense at least in the short-term.

One part of the film particularly caught my attention in they repeatedly stated the electric car was only good for short distances, as the batteries drained and needed to be recharged. My question and this is where you realize I'm not an engineer, electrical engineer or mechanic why can't we design electric cars that would re-charge themselves no matter the distance. We already use generators and alternators. Why couldn't we engineer a car that would accommodate an alternator type device at each wheel? That would be four sources of power being generated as we drove no matter the distance. So if you engineer types would respond and tell us why it won't work; Or better yet, I've opened the door and your creativity rushing forward with a design; please keep me in mind when you become wealthy. I've already tried poor so wouldn't mind trying wealthy.

ED GOULD

Hope