Record high gas prices. Global warming. Dependence on foreign oil. What’s the answer? Hear from the experts on the challenges and solutions coming down the pipeline.
Brookline, Massachusetts — Record high gas prices. Global warming. Dependence on foreign oil. What’s the answer? Hear from the experts on the challenges and solutions coming down the pipeline.
The third annual AltWheels Transportation Festival will host a series of cutting-edge programs on alternatives to the gas-powered automobile when it returns to the Larz Anderson Museum of Transportation in Brookline, Massachusetts September 17-18, 2005.
In addition to "lawn displays" of hybrid, solar, biodiesel, electric, CNG, human-powered and fuel cell vehicles past, present and future, leading authorities from MIT, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Nuvera, and many other organizations will participate in dynamic sessions providing an overview of alternative transportation options, choices, and technologies.
"We’re excited to have so many experts coming to share their knowledge of the issues and technologies with the AltWheels audience," said AltWheels founder Alison Sander. "AltWheels presents a rare opportunity for the general public to see energy-efficient ways to travel while hearing the latest transportation news from the professionals who are designing our roads to the future."
In addition, AltWheels 2005 will host a by-invitation-only Fleet Day on Monday, September 19, bringing industry and political leaders together to focus on the challenges and benefits of incorporating alternative fuels into commercial and government fleets. The MBTA, which now boasts a bus fleet fueled with clean compressed natural gas (CNG), is one of the largest users of alternative fuel in the region. A number of cities and towns, universities and private sector innovators are equally leading the way. But the majority of fleets in New England currently rely exclusively on high-emissions, non-sustainably-fueled vehicles. "Fleet Day" will offer case studies on successful conversions, while providing resources to assist fleet managers in understanding their options to reduce fuel costs and harmful emissions.
For a detailed breakout of the sessions see our website at www.http://www.altwheels.org. In addition to hosting thought-provoking speakers and panels, the AltWheels Festival also will showcase more than 70 vehicles available today to help beat the high cost and pollution of traditional gas-powered vehicles ”“ on the grounds of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum—the country’s oldest transportation museum. Not just for the adults, test-drives, vehicle demonstrations, and interactive workshops will be coupled with, fun, games and entertainment for the whole family.
The lawn show features the full array of alternative transportation vehicles from some of the earliest alternative cars (a 1920s Stanley Steamer and a 1914 Bausch & Lang electric car among others) to prototypes and designs of the car of the future (from the MIT/Gehry project). We will have concept cars and commercially available vehicles from leading companies including: GM, Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Mercedes.
Alternatives to the gasoline-powered automobile have been around since the 1800s, and today there are technological advances that create the real possibility of commercially available zero emission vehicles. AltWheels displays a broad selection of hybrids, solar, electric, biodiesel, compressed natural gas, and even vehicles that run on used vegetable oil. AltWheels also includes a large variety of bikes and personal transportation options including the Segway, bikes, and electric scooters. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, leading hybrid vehicles such as the Prius, vintage cars, and mini-cars are also displayed. The lawn show provides a chance to talk with owners of display vehicles, interactive workshops, and an opportunity to vote for favorites in a number of categories.
AltWheels is sponsored by General Motors Alternative Fuels, Toyota, American Honda, KeySpan Energy, Dennis K. Burke, National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA), Massachusetts Clean Cities, and the Society of Automotive Engineers. More than 70 organizations have signed on as co-hosts, including MIT, Harvard, Tufts, the Museum of Science, the Sierra Club, The MIT solar car club among others who believe this issue is critical.
Source: CSRwire, AltWheels
