What should my next car be? That question is challenging millions of Americans stressed over record gas prices and global warming. At AltCar Expo 2008, they’ll get expert answers to the quandary plus the chance to test drive green cars at one of the nation’s largest displays of alternative fuel vehicles, which will feature the first production Tesla Roadster.

The free, two-day expo will be held for the third consecutive year in Santa Monica, CA—where 10,000 attendees typically flock—on Sept. 26 & 27 and for the first time this year in Austin, TX on Oct. 17 & 18.

Both cities will showcase more than 100 alt-fuel and ultra-efficient vehicles including zero-emission electric cars, hybrids, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles rated in excess of 100 miles per gallon, and those running on hydrogen fuel cells, natural gas, propane, biodiesel and ethanol. Scooters, Segways, electric motorcycles, bicycles and more will also be on hand. Low-speed and freeway-capable vehicles will be available for public “ride-and-drives” and for immediate purchase.

Reporters are invited to attend media-only events in Santa Monica on Thur., Sept. 25 and in Austin on Thur., Oct. 16 to photograph dozens of alt-fuel cars and interview experts. More details forthcoming.

In Santa Monica, Tesla Motors, whose all-electric sports car has generated more buzz than any other green vehicle, will display the first car off its production line. This “P1,” as it is known, belongs to Tesla CEO Elon Musk and will be a key focus of filmmakers attending AltCar to shoot “Revenge of the Electric Car,” the much anticipated sequel to “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

AltCar Expo is known for its uncommon mix of vehicles by major auto manufacturers and smaller companies. Its seminar speakers, addressing the latest global transportation and energy trends, will include industry executives, grass roots advocates and nationally recognized experts in public policy, mass transit, sustainability, engineering and automotive technology. Attendees will learn when they can expect to purchase the hottest eco-friendly vehicles in development and about mass transit options, charging infrastructure, new battery technologies, maximizing gas mileage and other issues.

Central to both expos’ purpose is to give consumers the chance to test drive alt-fuel cars, many of which will be for sale on site, and find out about earning tax credits by going green.

Special activities at both events include screenings of new segments from “e2 energy,” the critically acclaimed PBS series about solutions to environmental and social challenges. A Technology Debate, which pits proponents of various alt-fuel technologies, will include UC Davis professor Andy Frank, father of the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The panel, “A Tale of Three Cities,” will examine how Santa Monica, Austin and Portland have reduced traffic congestion and increased the availability of cleaner energy and greener transport.

Highlights Confirmed to Date

Santa Monica:

Ride-and-Drive Vehicles:

AC Propulsion eBox (all-electric conversion)
Honda GX, natural gas vehicle
Miles Electric Vehicles ZX40ST work truck and ZX40S Advanced Design car
GM Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (Malibu and Saturn VUE Hybrid for display only)
A123 Hymotion Plug-in Prius PHEV
Zero Motorcycles' Zero X dirt bike (requires M1 license to test drive)
Panels (Speakers forthcoming)


Climate Change

Expert updates on how implementation of the state’s landmark global warming law and other new legislation will affect every driver in California. Speakers include officials from the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Dept. of Consumer Affairs and the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

Futuristic Mass Transit

Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus line will unveil “Bus of the Future” designs by students from Pasadena’s renowned Art Center College of Design. A Future of Transit symposium will feature mass transit experts.

Event Details

Presented by the City of Santa Monica
Friday and Sat., Sept. 26-Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Santa Monica Civic Center, 1885 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90401
For more information, including updates on exhibitors and speakers: www.altcarexpo.com

Austin:

Ride-and-Drive Vehicles

All vehicle technologies to be available. Details forthcoming

Speakers

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Austin Mayor Will Wynn
David Sandalow - Senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, expert on energy policy and global warming and author of “Freedom from Oil”
Bill Reinert – National manager of Toyota’s Advanced Technology Group
Nancy Gioia - Ford Motor Company's director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs
Al Weverstad - GM’s executive director of Energy, Environment and Safety

Panels

Panelists will discuss such cutting-edge concepts as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, in which an electric vehicle owner can sell power to a utility when the car is parked. Other panels: “Climate Changes and the Auto Industry,” “Environmental Benefits and Impacts,” “Medium and Heavy Duty Public Fleet Impacts,” and “Future Prospects for Plug-In Hybrids.”

Event Details:

Presented by Austin Energy
Friday and Sat., Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas, 78704
For more information, including updates on exhibitors and speakers: www.austinenergyaltcar.com.