You *will* buy an electric car, according to the federal government
and some states, despite the immature technology and lack of
infrastructure to support them.

The pressure isn't directly on the consumer. It's on the auto
industry. Since they can't reduce the cost and resultant price of the
electrics without losing money, the only option left will be to
increase the price of gas and diesel powered vehicles to make the
electrics *seem* more reasonably priced.

Even the much touted Tesla S electrics are only affordable to those
who can drop $70K to essentially a novelty car. What is not
advertised much is the details of Tesla's plans for a more affordable
model which will not have the super expensive, custom made batteries.
The range of the "affordable" model will be more in line with what is
available from manufacturer's of other electric vehicles ... namely
in the 70-80 mile range. Far cry from the 265 mile range with the
batteries that cost Tesla over $20k by themselves for the "S" model.
Tesla has done a superb marketing job. They have created an image of
having advanced technology resulting in extended range. Now that that
image is planted firmly in the minds of the consumer, they will
introduce a more affordable model with a more realistic range that
isn't any better than any other manufacturer.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-17/automakers-pressed-to-sell-no-emission-cars-to-reluctant-buyers.html?cmpid=yhoo