Event to showcase latest in technology
BARKER HANGER Wary of taking a backseat again to the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, organizers of the second Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo have decided to stage their event in October this year — one month before the auto industry’s big bash.
“We decided it works better not to be coinciding with the L.A. Auto Show,” said Craig Perkins, director of environmental and public works for City Hall, the creator of the Expo. “It puts more focus on our event and makes it easier for everyone to participate.”
The First AltCar Expo was held in December in conjunction with the L.A. Auto Show, making it difficult for some vendors to “scuttle back and forth” between the two events, Perkins said.
Now, all attention will be placed solely on Barker Hanger, where the two-day event, slated for Oct. 19 and 20, will be held.
Organizers aren’t worried about being in the driver’s seat. They promise that this year’s Alt Expo will be bigger and better than last year’s event, showcasing more cars for visitors to test drive while expanding the focus to include other types of alternative energy and transportation.
“We think that this is an extraordinary opportunity to link our sustainability programs and public transportation efforts with what is happening in the auto industry as well as what’s happening in other transportation related fields,” Perkins said. “We don’t just want to focus on these neat cars. If everybody went out today and bought high-efficient, hybrid cars, it’s still not going to reduce traffic congestion and gridlock. We are not going to solve these problems until we think about alternative transportation sources like light rail, subways and reducing vehicle usage through ride sharing and other programs.”
The free event will feature several panels that will discuss solutions to the current energy and climate crises while working towards forming coalitions and drafting future legislation.
Members of the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board will discuss the current and upcoming transportation related climate initiatives, including the newly released alternative fuels report, land use planning and state-based greenhouse gas vehicle standards.
Other panels will tackle plug-in electric vehicles, with industry experts providing the latest information on the technology, and whether or not communities should invest in monorails.
Organizers said the highlight of the Expo will be the technology debate panel that will discuss the pros and cons of new technologies.
“Our goal is to enact change,” said Christine Dzilvelis, president of Platia Productions, which is working with City Hall in organizing the Expo. “We are invested fully in the sustainability movement.”
Over 10,000 people attended the Expo last year to see vehicles now available such as Honda’s natural gas Civic GX and the electric Spyder Electrum sports car. Volkswagon also showed off its Solar Volkswagon Bug and while Toyota presented a hydrogen Toyota Prius from Quantum Technologies.
Just like last year, those attending this year’s event will not only be able to test drive the vehicles, but purchase the most fuel efficient cars not yet available to the public.
Vehicles and fuel types represented will include hybrid, electric, fuel cell, 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.
“For years California has led the world in innovative green technologies,” said state Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce who has introduced a bill that would increase the state’s use of renewable energy resources. “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.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2007. Read the original PDF.