Updated: This week witnessed some notable high profile struggles from three companies that are aggressively betting their futures on electric cars. A123 Systems, Fisker Automotive and Better Place — representing billions of dollars of investment in the future of electric cars — are now facing major problems financially and commercially.

The three companies suffered from different setbacks, though all are facing the fact that consumers and companies are adopting electric cars more slowly than expected. And the necessary next-gen batteries are still too expensive. Looks like Tesla is the last man standing when it comes to the aggressive electric car startups that launched over the past few years — and even it is not without risk.

If Better Place can’t make it in Israel. . .

Electric car infrastructure company Better Place started rounds of layoffs as its first network in Israel has been moving more slowly than expected. The…