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@fatbloke
Good point on the enviro impact of electricity production. Yes, you're displacing your pollution to the power station rather than the tailpipe. BUT - you are reducing it too. The actual reduction depends on the grid mix where you are - at least fifty per cent in the UK, more like 90 per cent in a 'clean-grid' state like California. There are different kinds of pollution, of course - CO2 is much reduced, particulates less so. You can always sign up for a green 'leccy tariff too, which at least encourages investment in renewables.
But the big point is that if all cars burn oil we have to keep burning it. If cars are at least partially electric, we have a choice about how we produce that electricity, and are less vulnerable to spiking oil prices and the stuff running out, as it will very soon. I hate to say it, but nuclear is about the only option we have if we don't want to go back to the Dark Ages.
Agree that a lot of people buy hybrids just because it makes them feel better. I'm fully aware of the limited environmental benefit - although it does exist. I have mine (GS450h) because it's cleaner and as economical as a powerful diesel, but mainly because with the petrol and electric motors working together it has a shit-load of instant torque and is wicked fast (60 in under 6 seconds...)