I have ridden in the Wrightspeed electric Ariel Atom, and I will testify to its fastness.

I had a nice little response typed up, but then accidentally hit the back button and I don't feel like writing it again. So from the perspective of a single car, electric cars are more efficient, handsdown. Most electric motors can do 95% efficiency across the entire powerband, with 60% charging efficiency of the battery, leading to an overall efficiency of ~55%. The Toyota Prius drivetrain brochure is listed as 35% efficient; your average combustion engine is ~ 20-25%. As far as batteries go, battery recycling is well established due to the electronics boom of recent years. There are electrolyte reclamation techniques for both NiMH and Li-ion that allows old electrolyte to be used in new batteries.

So yes, power plants take the difference. Why is it better/easier to optimize emissions/efficiency on a stationary power plant instead of a moving car?
- You have power source options on a stationary generator. You can use anything from hydroelectric to coal to solar. Power source on a car needs to be portable.
- You can't put that much emissions scrubbing, combustion monitoring, or combined thermal cycle equipment on a car.
- Cars operate on a wide powerband, anything from idle to full throttle (which is why the IC engine is only 20-25% efficient). Powerplants are throttle slowly, and most operate in one condition most of the time, making the optimization easier.

Just my thoughts. Electric cars are the way to go for in city commuting.