One day, when most of us are old and some of us are dead, some Edward Snowden of the auto industry will release thousands of documents that both the carmakers and the three-letter agencies all knew there were zero "benefits" to EVs, and it was simply another way to fleece the people. There are so many sources of oil in the world that can be turned into gasoline; cobalt that is used for lithium-ion batteries and electronics (which make up a majority of electric vehicles) draws a majority of its ore from two African countries with "storied" pasts steeped in terrible human rights issues. I know which source of energy I would pick.
I'm not really sure there is a need for all these new products from Shell and XOM, since electric motors and similar drive systems have been around for a long time in uses where it makes more sense, instead of in a mobile Superfund site if the EV is involved in a catastrophic crash. In my mind, there are still so many things that can be done to increase the efficiency of ICE vehicles; yes, with some additional costs but much fewer environmental impacts. Engine and drivetrain parts can use isotropic finishing, ceramic coatings, FEA-optimized geometries, just to name a tiny few, to help reduce friction, better control heat, improve combustion efficiencies, and better control the mass of all moving parts; all of which will increase MPG. Plus, lighter, smoother, slipperier parts inside the engine and drivetrain will accelerate faster and feel more sprightly.
Meh, I give up. I know my post is somewhat OT but I'll go back to this point: If it wasn't for Al Gore and some other loudmouthed fatalists with questionable data, combined with significant taxpayer-funded government subsidies, the true "native" market for EV/PHEV would be so small there would likely not be enough interest for more than a single model from a single manufacturer. It's an artificial demand. I'll stop there.