49% of U.S. electricity comes from coal
15% in California
17% in Washington state

California and Washington state have some of the highest concentrations of hybrid vehicles owned so it stands to reason those states will have high rates of EV ownership early on.

EVs are 75% efficient. ICEs (Internal Combustion Engines) are only 20% efficient.

Bottomline: EVs will be much, much cleaner than ICEs in the early years, and even as drivers in coal centric states buy EVs the air will still be cleaner.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electri...m/epm_sum.html
http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/electric...tem_power.html
http://www.cted.wa.gov/site/539/default.aspx
http://www.polk.com/TL/PV_200903_Iss...bridSector.pdf
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/evtech.shtml

 

I can't wait for the Focus BEV. Bring it!

 

California gets most of its electricity from power plants that burn natural gas so the electricity produced is cleaner from the get go. This means that EV's and PHEV's are a natural for California. West Virginia, however, with its climate of coal mines is another story altogether.