The RAV4 EV certainly looks
The RAV4 EV certainly looks like a compliance introduction, they didn't even bother to make it 4WD, which is a feature many look for in a SUV. The plug-in Prius, not so much.
The Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf certainly don't look like compliance vehicles. They are being manufactured in numbers larger than necessary to tweak past CA regs. Nissan has built plants in Tennessee and England for Leaf production. GM is manufacturing Volts overseas under a different brand.
The Focus EV - Ford designed its Focus assembly lines so that they could switch and make many more EV models if demand supports.
Tesla is giving EVs a bad name? On the contrary, Tesla has taken EVs from golf carts with roll up windows to lusted-after vehicles.
Tesla has chosen a very interesting and seemingly successful route to producing affordable EVs for everyone. Start by making EVs for those with the deepest pockets, those who can afford to overpay. Build name recognition and establish the ability to produce quality product and then reach down to cheaper models. Don't overlook the price drop and luxury upgrade going from the Roadster to the Model S.
Is the CA law inane? Only, I suppose, to those who aren't concerned about climate change and the problems of petroleum supply.
It's very early in the EV game. But there are EVs (and PHEVs) on the market right now that one can buy. You can't say that about HFCVs. EVs/PHEVs have stolen the march and if price/range develop as most expect they will be firmly situated in a few years.
You seem to feel a need to support HFCVs. I've got no favorite in this race, but I can see who is ahead. I'd be fine with any alternative to petroleum fueled vehicles which give us about the same utility for about the same price.
All I'm doing is pointing out that it's likely that HFCVs will have a very hard time establishing themselves if EVs/PHEVs get there first.
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BTW, that Captcha stuff sucks. Big time. Almost no one uses that junk any longer.