Just as I've stated in other threads:

Link (http://blogs.motortrend.com/6247007/editorial/no-one-killed-the-electric-car-it-was-dead-on-arrival/index.html)

If CARB hadn't mandated ZEV's, we would have had hybrids years ago. Libs need to take a lesson from the EV1 debacle. Apparently, given the excellent program set up by CARB, giving credits for hybrids, while lowering mandates on ZEV's, it appears that they have.

Not just the liberals though, Jason. I know an awful lot of conservative folks riding around in Prii blaming GM for all the world's evils.

The link is great; too bad most people who would even care to read it probably already had their minds made up. Don't want to confuse them with the facts, you know. The photos in the article reminded me how homely that car was, at least from the rear. Yikes!!

Lets hope the Volt can shatter the mental image most people have of electric cars. :)

That's another good point. The styling of EV's, with the express intent to look green, while reaping little in efficiency from a well styled car that is still aero, was another big stumbling block for early adoption.

Tesla was the first EV company to shatter the old image of EV's with their Roadster - then quickly came the Fisker Karma and the Chevy Volt. There is no looking back now.