The 14th annual Santa Monica AltCar Expo and Ride & Drive events will return this weekend to the Santa Monica College Bundy Campus to showcase the latest in alternative fuel vehicles and cutting edge electric green technology to members of the public.
In an attempt to debut alternative fuel vehicles that can be viewed and in some cases, tested, this year’s event will feature opportunities to test-drive vehicles and interact with product specialists from brands and manufacturers who are attempting to continue the movement toward alternative fuel and clean car policies in an accessible setting, event organizers said in a news release.
The Honda Clarity PHEV, Nissan Leaf EV, Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell and Toyota Prius Prime PHEV are but a few of the many vehicles that will be on display at this year’s event as manufacturers like Audi, Honda, Nissan and Tesla will have a wide array of cars, bikes, trucks and scooters on-hand from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
“The AltCar and Electrification Expo is the leading venue for getting the public excited and energized about transitioning our community to carbon-neutrality, both in terms of zero-emission vehicles and buildings,” said Drew Johnstone, a sustainability analyst for the city of Santa Monica.
Johnstone described AltCar as a strategic partner for the city, “(who) helps push the needle forward in the city’s commitment to decarbonizing transportation and infrastructure.”
Coupled with the various electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles that will be on display this weekend, Saturday’s expo will also feature a few panels comprised of industry experts, who will discuss topics related to urban planning, mass transit, energy generation, sustainable lifestyle choices, electric vehicle infrastructure and more, event organizers said.
Presented by the United States Green Building Council LA Chapter in partnership with ChargePoint, SoCal Edison and the Department of Water and Power, a panel titled: “EV 101” will explore the different types of charging options that are available for electric vehicle owners beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, according to the event’s website. EV 101 will also cover installation options for electric vehicle supply equipment as well as the benefits, costs and rebates that are associated with the products.
The day’s final panel presentation is set to begin at noon Saturday and is titled, “Building Electrification.”
Stuart Cooley, a professor of renewable energies at Santa Monica College, will be in conversation with Nick Brown, president of Build Smart, and others during the discussion in an effort to highlight how — with deliberate planning — homes can be built or retrofitted to be zero-emission.
Both panels will be moderated by Ben Stapleton, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council-Los Angeles.
Though it’s not required, pre-registration to the 14th Annual AltCar Santa Monica Expo and Ride & Drive is recommended for expedited entry to the upcoming event occurring at the Santa Monica College Bundy Campus, which is located at 3171 S. Bundy Drive near the Santa Monica Airport.
AltCar is an all ages event and additional information can be found by visiting the website altcarexposantamonica.com or calling 310-390-2930.
brennon@smdp.com
