Plan viewed as model for other cities

11:15 AM CDT on Monday, August 22, 2005

KVUE.com

The City of Austin kicked off a major campaign Monday to promote the mass production of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Austin city leaders say batteries in the plug-in vehicles would drastically reduce gasoline consumption -- some estimate it would reduce gas use by as much as 70 percent.

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"Plug-in hybrids can help significantly address two very serious problems facing communities and our country," Mayor Will Wynn stated in a press release. "The over-reliance of America on oil imports and the need to improve air quality in our cities by reducing pollution from automobiles."

Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine gas-electric technology with a larger battery that can be recharged in a standard wall socket. The vehicles that use this technology are not in full production, currently, and only one automaker, DaimlerChrysler, is even considering full production of such a vehicle.

The City of Austin campaign is expected to be a model used by other communities across the country. The promotion includes:

-- An Austin City Council resolution to support mass-production of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

-- Local seed money from electric utilities to help local governments, businesses and the public make the initial transition to the hybrids. Austin Energy officials have committed to provide $1 million.

-- Commitments by the city, Travis County and other governmental agencies to order plug-ins for their fleets of vehicles.

-- A citizen petition drive to encourage automakers to mass-produce the plug-ins.

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Valence Technology of Austin is already testing proto-type plug-in hybrids by converting standard hybrids to use a new Saphion Lithium Ion battery. Company officials say the battery has significantly boosted fuel-efficiency in tests, and gas mileage increased to 125 to 150 miles per gallon.

Next year, the City of Austin will join 10 other cities to test DaimlerChrysler's Sprinter Van, which is a prototype plug-in hybrid. Officials say that 78 percent of Americans live within 20 miles of their jobs. With a battery pack that could power a vehicle to travel 35 miles on a charge, most people would only need to fill up with gasoline once or twice a month.

"This is an economic stability initiative," stated Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe. "Escalating fuel prices are hurting everyone. They hinder our ability to deliver services and drive up the cost of all goods. They create tremendous hardships on businesses and households operating on small margins."

For more information on the Plug-In Austin campaign, click here.