Green Car Journal: Hybrids a Natural at Sierra Club National Convention

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31, 2005 -- Hybrid electric vehicles are in the news and, increasingly, on American highways. Still, most people's experience with hybrids is limited to observing these advanced technology vehicles from afar, without the benefit of getting behind the wheel and finding out just how "natural" hybrids feel.

This dynamic will change as the Sierra Club presents its Sierra Summit, the environmental group's first-ever National Environmental Convention and Expo, where at times it may appear there's as much activity outside San Francisco's Moscone Center as inside.

During two days of the Sierra Summit's September 8-11 run, an array of Ford, Honda, Mercury, and Toyota hybrid vehicles will be available for Sierra Summit attendee ride-and-drives in downtown San Francisco. Produced by Green Car Journal, the Sierra Summit's ride-and-drive will be held outside the Moscone Center's North Hall from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10; and from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11.

Called the "auto magazine of today," Green Car Journal focuses on the intersection of autos, energy, and the environment, with particular emphasis on the vehicles available now that offer higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The Sierra Summit ride-and-drive showcases these very vehicles, offering an opportunity for convention attendees to personally experience cars and SUVs powered by the most advanced and environmentally positive powerplants on the market. Automakers will also have hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on hand to illustrate the role that hydrogen could play in our driving future.

"Providing opportunities to actually experience what it's like to drive a hybrid is key to getting more of these high efficiency vehicles on our highways," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal. "Once people understand how seamlessly they perform -- with the same levels of comfort, performance, and functionality expected of any modern vehicle, but with significantly higher fuel economy and lower emissions -- hybrids will increasingly become one of the choices considered when shopping for a new vehicle."

Green Car Journal's Summer 2005 issue includes coverage on hybrid variants of the Mercury Mariner, Honda Civic, and Toyota Highlander. GMC's Graphyte and Hyundai's Portico hybrid concept vehicles are also featured, along with a technical look at Ford's gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant. Additional focus in the issue includes biodiesel, electric, and hydrogen vehicles. Willie Nelson's efforts in bringing biodiesel to American highways is featured, while an interview with environmental icon Jean-Michel Cousteau discusses transportation and the interconnectivity of land, air, and water.

Copies of Green Car Journal's Summer 2005 issue, a retail value of $5.99, will be available as a bonus to Sierra Summit attendees while supplies last.

Green Car Journal has achieved critical acclaim with 16 International Automotive Media Awards since its launch in 2003. Content from previous Green Car Journal issues is available on the magazine's companion website, Green Car Journal Online, at http://www.greencar.com/, where subscriptions and back issues of the magazine can also be ordered.