2010 AltCar Expo sponsors

As much as I enjoy learning and writing about what I hope will be the next generation of personal transport, the actual appearance and ability to see and test out alternate fuel cars, electric vehicles and some of the more independent ideas on the fringes of the market is not as easy as perhaps it should be. That all changed  this weekend however if you happened to be in Southern California as the Santa Monica Exposition Centre hosted the 2010 “AltCar Expo” on Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2 for enthusiasts or those just wanting to learn more about alternate fuel vehicles. The event offered free admission and the best collection of both the car models earmarked for mainstream production and those from more unique sources.

The Expo offered far more than a chance to see the vehicles in person but also a detailed demonstration of the technologies at work and a host of guest speakers who are leaders in the technology which hopefully will continue to change the landscape of motoring in the years ahead. The list of exhibitors ranged from giants like Toyota and General Motors to the makers of limited-edition one seater commuter vehicles designed for a short charge and a short journey. There were also a host of companies that provide the technology behind alternate fuel, companies that will convert a gas powered car to electric, and different coalitions for public transport and for fleet transport being converted to hybrid technology.

In total more than 20 alternative fuel vehicles were on display but unlike most auto shows here you could do more than just look and touch, as there was a registration program which allows visitors to actually drive the cars. This is the fifth year of the Expo and was forecast be by far the largest, Christine Dzilvelis producer of the AltCar Expo explains:

“Interest in alternative technologies is intense and has remained intense despite the fluctuating prices of gasoline. There’s just this momentum with this technology that’s pushing forward, even more so because of the economy.”

The choice of Southern California for hosting the event makes perfect sense also as no single regional market has better supported the existing crop of hybrid vehicles already on the market. Strict environmental controls and regulations coupled with California’s recent history of experiencing all of the pitfalls of pollution from automobile traffic makes the state an ideal proving ground for many of the emerging technologies on display. A range of seminars, question-and-answer sessions and exhibitions will run concurrently at the Expo Center and review the immediate future of the industry and the full range of advanced automotive technologies. Information centres will provide additional knowledge on electrics, hybrids, fuel cells, natural gas, propane and biofuels. Options existed to to test electric motorcycles, bicycle hybrids and gather information from various environmental bodies, solar and wind companies and much more.

If visiting the Expo didn’t involve a 720 mile round trip I’d have been there myself, hopefully some of you were able to get along and if you did please write to the blog and share your thoughts. To learn much more about the 2010 AltCar Expo please visit their official website. Hopefully I can make it along to next years event.