As an addendum to today’s Beside the Point regarding the mayor’s push for plug-in hybrid cars, let me add this: following the president’s otherwise lackluster State of the Union address, Bush issued an executive order which didn’t involve wiping his ass with the Constitution. (How refreshing!) Instead, the EO instructs federal agencies operating 20 or more vehicles to use “plug-in hybrid (PIH) vehicles when PIH vehicles are commercially available at a cost reasonably comparable, on the basis of life-cycle cost, to non-PIH vehicles.”
While the order, like the rest of his energy proposals, is a little wishy-washy, it’s a start. Will Wynn is a little more excited, saying “I’m delighted by the President’s Executive Order today. In fact, I’m going to frame it. Austin truly is helping to drive national energy policy in a way that will, one, reduce our over-reliance on foreign oil; two, dramatically reduce carbon emissions that are warming the planet; and three, help the American consumer and economy by reducing the cost of fuel.”
As M1EK points out, plug-ins are far from perfect. And yes, Austin Energy has as variety of reasons for pushing plug-ins, not the least of which being a boost to their bottom line. But I credit Wynn for raising the issue and creating demand. Further efficiency and adoption of plug-in tech will only come as demand grows – we shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
This article appears in January 19 • 2007.