Until you can drive across the country (the US) in an electric car they will not be a popular form of transportation here. I can jump in my Lancer with a buddy and drive from from where I live in southwestern PA to Las Vegas in about 32 hours with us tag teaming the driving. In an all electric car it would probably take two weeks (or more) because of charge time.
As far as when we will see affordable electric cars the answer is never. Cars are not "affordable" any more.