Groundbreaking Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo Featuring AltCar to Target Present, Future of Transportation

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--The Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo featuring AltCar (AltCar Expo), is a rare opportunity for the public to test drive the latest and most technologically advanced electric, natural gas, biodiesel, hydrogen, fuel cell and ethanol cars—some which are being unveiled for the first time ever at the show. The two day cutting-edge event slated for October 19 and 20 in Santa Monica will also feature several hard-hitting speaking panels that will discuss solutions to the current energy and climate crises while working towards forming coalitions and drafting future legislation.

Admission to the AltCar Expo is free of charge and open to the general public with the exception of Friday morning when fleet operators and the press will have the opportunity to test drive vehicles, speak with the vendors, and schedule test drives within their own cities and agencies. Once open to the public, AltCar Expo will offer the chance for attendees to calculate their own carbon and ecological footprints, participate in interactive booths, and screen the debut episode of a new six-part PBS series about energy and alternative transportation.

The 2006 event drew more than 10,000 people to see vehicles now available such as Honda’s natural gas Civic GX and the electric Spyder Electrum sports car; vehicles of the future like Mercedes Daimler Chrysler’s fuel cell Elegance and a hydrogen Toyota Prius from Quantum Technologies; an EV1 from Peterson’s Automotive Museum; and vehicles off-the-beaten path such as the Solar Volkswagen Bug and the electric Zap Xebra. This year’s event will showcase even more cars, while expanding the focus to include other types of alternative energy.

“After last year’s AltCar Expo was widely recognized as the premiere event of its kind, it became apparent to the City of Santa Monica that yet another focus was materializing—the next logical step was to incorporate alternative energy into the program,” says Craig Perkins, environmental and public works director for the City of Santa Monica. “At least 75 percent of the products and services at the AltCar Expo are viable energy or transportation alternatives and currently available for purchase.”

Outside the event showroom, attendees will “ride and drive” and have the opportunity to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicles not yet available to the public. Vehicles and fuel types represented will include hybrid, electric, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, high MPG gasoline, ethanol and biodiesel. Other eco-friendly vehicles on display will be electric bicycles that go 45 mph uphill, mopeds and two- and three-wheeled scooters including the Segway.

An Emphasis on Long-Term Solutions

A transportation planning and legislation discussion is one of many speaking panels bringing together car manufacturers, industry leaders, alternative and green fuel advocates, business leaders, lawmakers, scientists, and public transportation, air quality, and energy government agencies to present solutions on the local, state and regional level. The experts will not only discuss with the public the latest technologies in alternative energy and transportation including viable sustainable fuel alternatives, health solutions, urban planning, and renewable energy, but they will work together to generate solutions, legislation, and a long-term energy and transportation policy. Speakers include former California EPA Secretary Terry Tamminen, actor Ed Begley Jr. and Dr. Andrew Frank, father of the modern plug-in hybrid, and new Air Resource Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols.

“For years California has led the world in innovative green technologies,” says California state assemblymember Lloyd Levine. “The AltCar Expo is playing a vital role in furthering California’s environmental leadership by introducing the future of clean transportation to the general public. I look forward to touring this year’s show to see the revolutionary new designs that will be on our streets and highways in the near future.”

A highlight will be the much anticipated technology debate panel returning from last year with experts educating the public on the pros and cons of new technologies. The University of California Los Angeles’ transportation department will sponsor an urban planning and strategic initiatives based panel while the Union of Concerned Scientists will conduct two health panels featuring national experts. Additionally, the California Energy Commission will lead a climate panel featuring a review of their 2007 alternative fuels report, the most comprehensive look at alternative technologies thus far.

Through its environmental and technological accomplishments, Santa Monica, the hosting city and a major sponsor of the AltCar Expo, has shown a capacity for worldwide leadership. The City has a long history of successfully incorporating alternative fuel vehicles into its daily operations and participating in regional transportation planning efforts to promote sustainability.

Other event sponsors include American Honda Motor Company, the California Department of Transportation, Big Blue Bus, California Fuel Cell Sponsorship, Global Green USA, California Energy Commission, Union of Concerned Scientists, Santa Monica College, Nancenet, U.S. Department of Energy, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, 3 Phases Energy Services, National BioDeisel Board, Los Angeles Bike Coalition, Sustainable Works and UCLA.

To sponsor or exhibit at the event, or for further information, visit www.altcarexpo.com or call (310) 390-2930.