We are seeing the evolution of car technology playing out in front of our eyes, it’s actually quite exciting. E-Power (I’m sure Honda had it first) is innovative. The next step as you suggest will be plug-in hybrids with a 70-80 mile range (these will get through the next round of cuts) with a very small petrol engine acting as a generator. Mazda are doing this now with their new MX30, if it proves successful then others will adopt but the process is slow to produce a new car.