Electric cars aren't very common here, yet, but they would be embraced. On the other hand, I forgot how much different Texas is. I read an article about a Dallas businessman selling electric cars, which mentioned some of the reactions to electric cars in Texas:

"I was out riding in the GEM [electric car] one day," he recalled, "and this guy – I don't want to engage in stereotypes, but he was like this construction worker in a pickup – yelled out, 'Where'd you buy that? Toys "R" Us?' "

Obviously that's not representative of most people in Dallas, but I think that kind of reaction would be unheard of here.

When I rented a Toyota Prius last time I visited the Metroplex, I drove a few of my coworkers to lunch. They all thought the car was interesting, but most of them didn't take it seriously. They seemed to think that it was dorky and gimmicky, and wouldn't consider driving one themselves. Based on the number of Priuses I see here, I'd say the attitude is a little different.

Of course, it's a common assumption that people on the West Coast are more environmentally-oriented, and I've always fit into that mindset a little better. But, after just a few months of living here, I already find it almost shocking how some people in Texas act towards electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. I'm sure that attitude will gradually change, especially as higher gas prices shift peoples' ways of thinking, but for now it's very interesting.