some recent studies have raised some questions about just how 'green' EVs are

For some reason, I can't get the article to pull up, but if I had to guess, it's probably analyzing the environmental impact of mining the metals needed for the battery, manufacturing, shipping, and finally disposing of them. If that's the case, I wouldn't be surprised that they're not as amazing as people say they are. I remember reading an article about 10 years ago how Hummers have a smaller overall carbon footprint than Prius's. I've also heard tons of arguments that ethanol fuels are nothing more than bullshit fuels used to prop up the corn industry, which I also find very plausible.

That said, Uber and Tesla aren't the only games in town. I'm sure there are other companies, both here in the states as well as internationally, that are toying with the ideas. I wouldn't be surprised if the words "Google Taxi" weren't written on some post-it note on a Google exec's desk right now. People keep on talking more and more about automated cars, factories, shipping, etc. Unlike flying cars, I think these ideas hold a bit more realistic merit, no matter how the cars are powered.