There are basic constraints such as cost, range, and lack of recharging stations. But on top of that, after the quake, electricity is getting very expensive, which will drive the sentiment of consumer

Without government subsidies (money stolen from taxpayers and given to companies making stuff) no electric car maker would be able to make a profit.

Sure, they may be better for the environment (that's actually debatable when you consider what goes into making the "clean" electricity that they consume) but until consumers are actually willing to pay the REAL market price for what it costs to produce these things, mass electric car usage is a long, long way off in any country.

The massive amount of government subsidies, however, disguises this simple economic fact.

It's a chicken and egg situation - not enough charging stations to make driving and getting a re-charge a feasible proposition; but until makers sell enough cars, they are not going to invest in the infrastructure to support charging stations...

Plug-in hybrids? I'm interested. EVs? No thanks.

The really big question, so often left unmentioned, is what do we do with trashed, old, no longer wanted/functional electric cars? The toxic waste profile is enormous. Cost, charging stations, availability, government breaks / incentives - fine; all manageable. But the batteries, my friends, the batteries...

If you take all aspects into consideration, from resource acquisition (parts), through manufacturing, through consumer use support (electricity generation), and finally to disposal, electric cars are just as much an environmental nightmare as gas guzzlers - maybe worse.