> I suspect this is mostly myth propped up by apocryphal assertions that Prius sold well due to its distinct look

What I read was that the sales of Toyota's hybrid versions of their "normal-looking cars" (Camry Hybrid, etc) were disappointing in comparison to the Prius (especially if the theory is that people were avoiding the Prius due to design and would prefer a less-radical car that still got great gas mileage). I don't know if there's any truth to that.

UK might be taking an interesting approach, they're thinking of making different registration plates (green) for EV cars...

It's interesting then, that the new Peugeot 208 range has identical bodywork across the range regardless of whether they have electric, petrol or diesel drivetrains. Personally, I'm disappointed when a car isn't designed from scratch to take full advantage of the packaging options of an electric drivetrain, but see this as a reasonable compromise for manufacturers at the present time.

> automakers believe that low-emissions cars will not sell well unless people can acquire them as a means of signalling virtue and wealth

That's totally why I bought my sweet sexy Spark EV.