That's an interesting question, however there is no inherent need for the electric power to be generated via coal power, whereas the gas car cannot get away fro

That's an interesting question, however there is no inherent need for the electric power to be generated via coal power, whereas the gas car cannot get away from burning said fossil fuels, even though it can be made more efficient. I did some googling and there are a number of arguments on the internet about comparing a coal generated power plant's electricity emissions to a gas powered car's emissions, and I think depending on your average consumption either side could win that argument. However if the electricity was generated in not the dirtiest possible way we know how, gas car seems to lose every other time.