Bike to Work Day 2014 Gets Off to a Strong Start

AltCar Expo, the nation’s leading forum for green vehicle ride and drive, industry demonstrations on the latest advancements in alternative technology vehicles, urban planning, energy efficiency and climate education will make its Northern California debut on March 14-15, 2014, at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA. Following the format of the Southern California and Dallas editions, the Northern California AltCar Expo will feature an Industry / Fleet day, followed by a Public Day. AltCar Expo partners include: Honda, Nissan, California Fuel Cell Partnership, San Francisco Clean Cities, East Bay Clean Cities.

The Northern California AltCar Expo is an opportunity to learn more about the newly announced plan backed by Governors of eight states, including California, to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles on the road within a dozen years via the creation of financial incentive programs, development of a common standard for roadway signs and charging network, and the possibility of establishing favorable electricity rates for home charging. California is among a group of participating states which have adopted rules requiring about 15 percent of new vehicles sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025.

The Northern California AltCar Expo presents the most extensive array of alternative technology vehicles, including: electric, hybrid electric, natural gas and hydrogen vehicles for view in one location. The event will feature a number of North American vehicle debuts and lectures and free Ride & Drive opportunities.

“The AltCar Conference comes at a critical time for the Bay Area consumers as they make decisions about choosing alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. "This conference provides an opportunity for the public, local governments and fleet owners to consider different transportation options that will translate into cleaner air in our communities."

On Friday, March 14, the conference will feature the following two informational sessions for Government agencies:

1. Getting the Bay Area Ready for Plug-In Electric Vehicles — An Introduction to the Plug-In Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan for Local Governments
   
   This informational session is hosted by the Association of Bay Area Governments, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and focuses on introducing elected officials from Bay Area cities and counties to suggested actions that they can take in their communities to support electric vehicle deployment. Panelists will include representatives from leading governments from around the Bay Area who are already taking actions on permitting, inspection, zoning and planning for electric vehicles and their infrastructure, as well as regional agency representatives who will discuss how incentives can be used to further prepare the region for the mass deployment of electric vehicles.
2. Getting the Bay Area Ready for Alternative Fuels— An Introduction to Alternative Fuels for Local Governments
   
   This informational session is hosted by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the San Francisco, East Bay and Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalitions, and focuses on introducing elected officials from Bay Area cities and counties to best practices for the sighting and permitting of natural gas and hydrogen infrastructure. Panelists will include members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, Clean Cities Coalitions, Natural Gas Representatives and leading governments from around the Bay Area who have already permitted and sighted these types of facilities. AltCar Expo is the best attended and the most extensive platform for clean technology vehicles, urban planning, energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction education.

Northern California AltCar Expo Highlights include:

• Ride & Drive opportunities featuring the nation’s largest variety of alternative technology vehicles.
• Fleet / Industry Conference open to municipalities, utilities, industry and fleet professionals
• Educational sessions: Industry, fleet managers & the public will learn about what vehicles are currently on the market, and current federal / regional rebates
• Policy & Program Announcements
• Vehicle Debuts
• Infrastructure Announcements

The government / fleet conference will take place on Friday, March 14. The Expo is open to the general public Saturday, March 15, at the Craneway Pavilion 1414 Harbor Way South, Richmond, CA 94804. For further information, visit www.altcarexponorcal.com or call (310) 390-2930. Press inquiries; please contact Agnes Gomes-Koizumi at agnes@agkmedia.com or (323) 937-5488.