Who killed Pasadena's electric car?

The electric car can't seem to get a break. This week, the city of Pasadena is expected to surrender most of its Nissan Hypermini EV's after efforts to buy the fleet were turned down. Nissan says the leases to the city were part of a research program that the company extended well after its intended lifetime. Since last week, according to a story in the Pasadena Star-News, the mint- and silver-colored minis have sat in a corner of the city's yards. "We asked if we could buy them, but they said absolutely not," said John Hoffner, public benefits manager at Pasadena Water and Power.