Austin, TX campaigns for plug-in Prius

Despite the recent email from Toyota, the undisputed leader in the hybrid segment, stating explicitly that the company has no plans to produce a plug-in Prius anytime soon, the city of Austin, TX is going ahead with a campaign designed to promote the mass production of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The campaign includes a resolution of support for the technology by the city council, local seed money from electric utilities to help with the purchase of plug-in hybrids, commitments by the city for fleet orders and a grassroots petition to encourage automakers to mass produce plug-in hybrids. Last October the city council passed a resolution in support of working with DCX's plug-in diesel hybrid Sprinter Van, the only vehicle of its kind currently planned for commercial sale. The addition of plug-in technology allows the Sprinter Van to achieve 50% reduction in fuel consumption, according to DaimlerChrysler.