[Ausev] Plug In Partners Press Conference

[Daniel J. Stewart]

Howdy y'all,

I am testing the new mailing list (thanks, Aaron!) with a reminder for anyone who hasn't seen the Plug In Partners campaign kickoff (sponsored by Ausin Energy back on 24 Jan) to check out the webcast available from their home page http://www.pluginpartners.org

The press conference was certainly effective at creating a "buzz".  I don't know how well it communicated the goal "to demonstrate to automakers that a market for flexible-fuel Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles exists today" - it came off more like "what is a PHEV, and why is it so great?" but maybe that is the essential first message before trying to establish the number of potential buyers.

I believe the Plug In Partners will end up UNDERestimating the market, since they are asking for people to "pledge to strongly consider purchasing" a vehicle they haven't even seen.  I wonder how many people in 1971 would have still said they wanted an "American made small car" if they had known it would be a Pinto, Chevette, or Pacer.

Interestingly, two days after the press conference I stumbled apon the Ford Escape Flex-Fuel Hybrid at the D.C. Auto Show.  It was listed as a concept, but it certainly seemed produceable since Ford already offers an E85 compatible engine option on the Taurus, Ranger, and Explorer.  More recently, Hymotion showed their plug-in upgrade kit for the Escape Hybrid at the Canadian International Auto Show (in Toronto, eh).  Interesting!

Danny