Toyota is on their second generation hybrid Prius. It's greatly improved over the first generation. GM is coming out with their own hybrid technology, which I believe will include plug in technology.
So...some say that they can't pull their horse trailer uphill with the A/C on at 90 degrees. They shouldn't try. The IC engine will be the primary transportation motivation for the foreseeable future.
This will be good technology for some, not useful for others. I don't think anyone is suggesting that people with horse trailers be forced to buy a hybrid; in following the posts, one would think they had.
I suspect that plug-in electric cars will occupy a niche for awhile, like in neighborhoods where it's legal to drive your golf cart on the street.
Plug in hybrids will have a somewhat larger niche (IMO) but still a niche. Non-plug hybrids will have a still larger one.
If one is interested in saving money or cutting petroleum usage, a small car or a motorcycle probably makes more sense now. You wouldn't want to drive your small car on a highway that has heavy truck traffic, and you wouldn't want to ride your MC in the rain; however, they use fuel that's readily available, and they're proven systems.
The market will sort out what makes sense, and what doesn't...the only thing for sure is that the Feds will pi$$ away $billions, as they always do, on "alternatives."