re: electric cars
The current crop of electrics/hybrids/you-name-its were not the result of any government mandates. The recently-passed energy bill is the first major change to Federal mileage requirements in many years.
The price of fuel went up drastically, and the market responded. Same thing for new alternative energy endeavors. No major new laws or government programs are driving the increased activity in these areas either.
And if you read the link I posted, they're definitely not limiting this to high-end markets.