AltCar Expo and Conference This Weekend

With so much recent attention being focused on this country's energy policy, it's fitting that Austin Energy is showing Central Texas just what kind of zany future-tech vehicles you might expect to see one day on the road.

The AltCar Expo and Conference, taking place at Palmer Events Center today and tomorrow, is being touted as the region's "largest collection of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies," with over one hundred autos to be showcased. Alternative fuel vehicles are everything from electric cars and trucks (considered "zero emission," electricity generation notwithstanding) to those powered by natural gas, propane, biodiesel and ethanol.

What's more, attendees of this free event are invited to test drive some of the cars in a public "Ride-and-Drive" area, and can sit in on various panel discussions on a variety of topics: global transportation and energy trends are key, but public policy, mass transit, and engineering and automotive technology will also be discussed. Panelists and speakers include U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett, Austin Mayor Will Wynn, and Andy Frank, "father of the modern plug-in hybrid."