Some really cool news today on the Plug-in Hybrid-Electric Vehicle (PHEV) front. I mentioned before that the fortuitously-named mayor of Austin Will Wynn has taken the city of Austin to the forefront of energy-efficient personal transportation advocacy in initiating his campaign to gather support in the form of intent-to-buy pledges or “soft orders” for the manufacture of plug-in hybrid vehicles. We first heard about this plan at the 4th EAA chapters conference which we hosted here in Austin in April 2005. Months later in August it was announced to the general public.

Today that plan has gained traction on a large scale, with several cities joining in. The campaign, as of today, has officially gone national.

The benefits are undeniable — if a PHEV can deliver 20 miles without running its gas engine, nearly every trip I make would be completed without gasoline. A PHEV in my situation would effectively be an electric car, with the gas engine only kicking in for occasional longer trips. A tank of gas would last for months. And with an increasing number of homes being run on renewable energy, either personally installed wind generators and solar arrays, or community programs like Austin Energy’s Green Choice program, driving an EV or a PHEV in electric mode is truly zero-emissions. And this is to say nothing of the lower cost of energy, and all the non-environmental benefits of reduced petroleum consumption.

If this sounds like a decent idea to you, check out the campaign, watch the webcast of today’s events, read and sign the petition — automakers should know there’s a demand for clean transportation!