New Electric Vehicles From World's Automakers Make U.S. Debut in Orlando

9 December 1997

               Timely Orlando conference to highlight vehicles
               that address some of the issues raised in Kyoto

    ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 9 -- It's not an auto show, but media and
consumers will get their first look at vehicles people will be driving in the
next few years, when electric vehicle industry stakeholders gather in Orlando,
Florida this week.
    At the 14th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS-14), the world's
largest automakers will give attendees the first U.S. opportunity to see,
touch and drive some of the most advanced vehicles ever put on the road.
Among others, Toyota will introduce the e.com, a small electric commuter
vehicle and the Prius, an advanced propulsion fuel cell vehicle.  EVS-14 also
will be the site of the North American debut of the Nissan Altra EV, powered
by lithium-ion batteries.
    For the first time ever in North America, public admission to EVS-14 will
allow consumers to test drive more than 30 state-of-the-art EVs.
    "As the world's leaders conclude their meeting on environmental issues in
Kyoto, the world's largest automakers will be coming to Orlando to show off
the clean electric and hybrid electric vehicles they're introducing to the
market today," says Robert Hayden, executive director of the Electric Vehicle
Association of the Americas (EVAA).  "EVS-14 brings together all the key
players who will lead the industry to the next century."
    The opening and closing keynote speakers at EVS-14 are William Clay
Ford, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., respectively.
    "The significance of having a member of one of the auto industry's
founding families usher in the next century of advanced vehicle technology is
unmistakable," says Hayden.  "In addition, Robert Kennedy's reputation as an
environmental leader only serves to highlight the importance of EVS-14."
    EVS-14 will bring together nearly 2,000 top EV experts from around the
world to discuss automotive design and technology advancements, infrastructure
development and solutions to commercialization issues.  In addition to the
three day symposium, the event will feature an EV Parade at Epcot Center on
December 11, Media Days on December 12 and 13, and Public Days on December 13
and 14.

SOURCE  Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas