Are plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles really green?

The Velozzi plug-in multifuel hybrid electric vehicle

X-Prize contender, the Velozzi plug-in hybrid, is a series plug-in hybrid that, in theory, will achieve 100-200 mpg. Like the Chevy Volt, the Velozzi runs on electricity, and can also use any heavy fuel to generate electricity. Unlike the Volt, however, the Velozzi isn't intended to be a heavy fuel-range extended electric vehicle. Velozzi would prefer that biofuels were used to generate your vehicle's electricity, rather than grid electricity - unless a significant percentage of the grid electricity is NOT powered by coal.

According to the company's website, "A German study recently has indicated that an electric car is as pollutant as an internal combustion engine car if the electricity to charge the electric vehicle comes from a grid that draws 49 percent of its energy from coal-fired power plants. About 57 percent of the world's energy comes from coal-fired plants."

I couldn't find a link to an actual article. While I believe in plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars, I do also agree that there are serious issues when it comes to America's electric grid - especially in terms of safety, reliability and global warming.