Vehicle electrification is now occurring apace due to a variety of factors, including regulatory pressure, environmental concerns, and customer preference.  There are key economic and technical enablers in play that are helping to usher xEV implementation.  However, barriers to universal adoption remain.  This presentation will consider enablers, such as increasing fuel cost and air quality concerns, as well as technical successes, including lower battery cost, increased energy density, and fast charging.  Among the barriers considered are vehicle package compromise, low temperature operating penalty, materials cost, etc.