Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Mike Wildgen, City Manager
FROM:	Jonathan Douglass, Management Assistant
CC:	Debbie Van Saun, Dave Corliss, Steve Stewart, Chuck Soules
Date:	February 28, 2006
RE:	Plug-In Partners campaign

The City of Austin has launched a grassroots national campaign to “demonstrate to automakers that there is a ready market for Plug-In Hybrids.” Plug-In Hybrids (or PHEVs), which are not commercially available, utilize batteries that can be recharged on a standard electric socket and then power the vehicle from 20 to 60 miles on battery power alone.

Austin’s Plug-In Partners campaign is seeking local government partners to initiate their own Plug-In campaigns. They are asking for the following actions by the City of Lawrence:

1. Bring forward a resolution supporting a local “Plug-In Lawrence” campaign.
2. Make a “soft order” for PHEVs to add to our fleet. Since there are currently no vehicles available for purchase, it is understood that this is not an actual order, but an expression of serious interest in adding PHEVs. The intent of collecting “soft orders” from governments and businesses is to illustrate to automakers that there is a viable market for these vehicles.
3. Submit our name for use as a “founding supporter” of the Plug-In Partners campaign.
4. More comprehensive involvement in a “Plug-In Lawrence” campaign could include:
1. Supporting a local petition drive for automakers to produce PHEVs;
2. Working with Chamber of Commerce to promote “soft” fleet orders from local businesses;
3. Encouraging local groups such as civic clubs, neighborhood associations, and environmental groups to endorse the “Plug-In Lawrence” campaign.

If the City wishes to support a “Plug-In Lawrence” campaign by taking steps 1-3 above, it seems reasonable to expect that other local groups could take responsibility for activities such as those in step 4.