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True Stories Can Be Stranger Than Fiction [Extra Extra ]
Ever the champion for green energy, Mayor Will Wynn was in Las Vegas today for the 74th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors, where he accepted awards on our city's behalf from Sustain Lane (Most Sustainable Cities) and the U.S.C.M. (City Livability Award). Wynn, serving as the Chairman of the Energy Committee, has been the leading proponent for the national Plug-in Partners campaign, a grass-roots initiative that's trying to convince automakers that a market for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) is out there. Today, Plug-in Partners received an overwhelming show of support from the U.S.C.M., which unanimously endorsed a resolution encouraging municipalities to begin purchasing the vehicles as part of city fleet operations.
"This vote shows the increasing interest in plug-in hybrids,” said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. “Plug-in hybrids reduce dependency on foreign oil, lower fuel costs for cities and their citizens, reduce air pollution in our cities, and increase the use of renewable energy ... The Energy Committee continues to address our dependence on foreign oil and climate change. Austin has set an example by supporting alternative fuels and renewable energy, changing our land-use patterns and embracing mass transit”.
While retaining his position as Energy Committee Chairman, Wynn was also elected to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Advisory Committee, which tackles a broader spectrum of issues.
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All the cool kids are in Vegas today. Oh wait, it's hard to stay cool when it is 108 degrees out!!!!!
The problem is that plug-in hybrids are years and years away. Here's why:
You know how hybrid-haters like to trot out the old FUD that you have to replace your battery every few years at a cost of a few thousand dollars?
That's not true, because the normal hybrid battery (like in a regular Prius) keeps its charge in a fairly small band (like 30-70% of theoretical capacity).
Now, turn it into a plug-in hybrid (either by adding a separate battery, as the prototypes do, or by making a built-in plug-in). Oops. Now all of the sudden people are charging the thing overnight and then depleting it as they drive. Say hello to battery replacements a couple years down the road.
Batteries are nowhere near where they need to be in order to work in that kind of environment. It works for AAs because they're pretty cheap anyways (doesn't matter that you can only charge 'em a few hundred times).
Some days when I'm feeling charitable towards GM, I think this might be why they pulled the plug on the EV1 (electric car).
The genius of the Prius and other similar hybrids is that you don't ever have to worry about this stuff - because of the range control on the charger, the battery will likely outlast the car.
Whoopee. Whatever. I'm so not into our civic leaders.
Less pollution in Austin?
How bout some bike and pedestrian paths that are both safe and practical?
no..putting stripes on roads doesn't cut it.
Seriously - how much would that really cost compared to these other giant projects - and the benefit would be so huge.
but I guess talking about bike and pedestrian as viable ways of getting around town aren't too sexy when you're livin it up in VEGAS.
speaking of vegas - I know our mayor is the coolest - I've seen him out partying at hip clubs and doing chic fashion shows - but it would be really cool to fix this d*?! place up a bit. that's all.