That's funny - exact thing happened to me last weekend: a Fisker Karma went by and I said to my friends, "that's a new electric car." (OK, I know ... it's a range extended series hybrid with a big battery).
"What car??" They were very surprised when I pointed at the sexy Karma.
(Unlike my "spaceship" looking
U.F.O. (Insight), which people regularly ask if it's electric.)