I just found this thread. I've been researching this subject for the past 18 months and have some information to add to the discussion.
Range
GM and Toyota both produced EVs with ranges above 100 miles to charge, so the 60 mile range is lower than what the big car companies were able to produce when forced to do so by the California Air Resources Board in the last 1990's. These vehicles were based on NiMH technology, lithium ion has been density. The Tesla Roadster has a range of 220 miles, so much more than 100 miles is possible.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/
Cost
Of course EVs are more expensive than the mass-produced gas vehicles built by giant corporations that have been perfecting the technology and manufacturing process for 100 years. That cost gas vehicles is also artificially low because the buyers don't have to pay for the damage done to the atmosphere, it's great to not have to pay for dumping your trash!
The Tesla Roadster is expensive, but cost competitive when compared to similar high-end low-production sports cars. Lots of companies are working to get EVs into lower priced sedans. I'm sure that will happen, but not overnight.
Charge Time
People worry about how long it takes to charge an EV, but they totally ignore how inconvenient it is to make a trip to the gas station because we're all used to that annoyance. No one complains about how long it takes to charge a cell phone -- you just plug it in at night and it's full in the morning. As long as an EV has enough range for your daily commute, and charges overnight, it doesn't matter how long it takes. Imagine a world where waiting in line to breath in carcinogenic fumes and end up smelling like gas isn't normal. Imagine never having to go to a gas station again.
Given sufficient range and reasonable charge times, the charge time is only an issue for road trips. There are other solutions to the road trip problem - like owning a second car or renting a gas/electric hybrid for the few times you really need unlimited range.
Charge time is mainly limited by how much current you can pull through your outlet. For example, the Tesla Roadster's battery pack takes 4.5 hours to charge from fully drained with a 220V/90A circuit but it can be charged in less than an hour at a dedicated charging station. So, plug into the dedicated charger in the restaurant's parking lot and have a full battery after you finish a leisurely meal.
Well-to-Wheel Efficiency
The internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power vehicles is inherently inefficient with a narrow gap where they can generate significant torque and operate efficiently. That's why ICE vehicles have transmissions. Electric motors, especially AC induction motors, can be far more efficient and deliver torque over a much broader RPM range, and all without the complexity and maintenance issues of a transmission.
Both power plants and electric motors are more efficient than ICE technology, both in terms of miles per unit energy and miles per unit CO2 production.
http://www.teslamotors.com/efficiency/well_to_wheel.php
The Electric Grid
Our electric grid is designed to accommodate the highest peak load which typically occurs on hot summer days when air conditioning puts high demands on the grid. A recent study funded by the DOE found that the grid has enough unused capacity to charge 70 million EVs during off-peak hours. It we can figure out how to get the coffee maker to come on before we wake up in the morning, we can get our EVs to charge at night without having to manage it by running to the garage and plugging it at bed time.
http://www.pnl.gov/news/release.asp?id=204
EVs could actually help the grid by charging at night at low electric rates then selling their excess charge back to the grid during peak hours. Just tell your car it's OK to sell back to the grid as long as the battery is kept charged enough to satisfy your expected range needs.
EVs also have the advantage of being as green as the grid. It's easier to take care of CO2 production at a power plant than it is to change the technology of the thousands of vehicles that could be charged by that plant.
Recycling Batteries
I apologize for making yet another Tesla reference, but they are farther along in producing EVs than anyone else, or at least anyone else who's talking. Here's the story on recycling their batteries.
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog4/?p=66