"They COULD have an EV mode for those in city crawls, perhaps an EV gear setting?"

It's my understanding that IMA can't have EV mode. The gas engine HAS to propel the car (if it doesn't spin, you don't go) with the electric motor on the same driveshaft as the gas engine, thus an 'assist' hybrid.

How will Honda do an EV mode when they currently don't have a large enough battery/motor combo, no way to make electricity on the fly (only regen), and no separate drive from the electric motor?

IMHO, it makes HSD clearly superior.

'04 Seaside Pearl #7. Fumoto oil drain, mudflaps, rear bumper scuff protector & rear warn system, compass mirror, EV mode button, 8" subwoofer in right rear cubby & 6" subs under seats, power lumbar in the front seats, Coastaletech hitch w/ Aspen bike/snowboard rack. iPod2car, 2 amps, Alpine component speakers, and DVD video, solid 47 MPG @ 70000 miles.