It’s a bit of shame that the American auto industry’s sudden excitement about electric cars comes across more as a knee-jerk reaction than an insightful foray into new technology. Someday American automakers may again be recognized as innovators in vehicle technology, but this year the Green Car of the Year award goes to the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which is actually powered by “clean diesel”. Funny that the first electric car was built in the 1830′s and Detroit is still trying to figure things out.  If you haven’t been keeping up with what’s going on with EV’s, TreeHugger.com has a nice overview of 23 electric cars that are driving the revolution. By the way, if you’re intrigued by the stylish electric Cadillac Converj pictured here but intimidated by the likely price tag, don’t worry. It doesn’t really exist yet.