E.P.A. rates two electric cars' fuel economy

Two new Plug-in cars came on the market two months after the E.P.A. started to struggle with the rating of mass-market plug-in vehicles.

How the Environmental Protection Agency rates the two cars, theChevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, could have a big influence on consumers’ perceptions of vehicles that run on electricity. General Motors, which makes the Volt, and Nissan are anxiously awaiting the agency’s decision as they start production of the cars and complete marketing plans for rollouts in December.

If the E.P.A. rates these cars poorly than the population might not like the cars and if they don't like the cars then the possibility of a fuel efficient car is still very far off and so is a "green" car.