FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — Work trucks — those vocational vehicles that labor every day to deliver packages, clear snow, build roads, repair utility lines and otherwise keep the country running — are getting greener. The rising cost of fuel, new emissions regulations and environmental concerns are making hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles increasingly attractive to a wide range of companies and government agencies.
In response, manufacturers are developing a host of new products, including vehicles that run on electricity, biodiesel, hydrogen, CNG, LPG and propone. There are hydraulic hybrids, diesel electric hybrids and even solar-powered options in development.
Many of these new products will be exhibited at The Work Truck Show 2008 and 44th Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention, North America’s largest vocational truck event. To help attendees sort through it all, the show will feature a full-day "Hybrid Truck and Alternative Fuels Summit," as well as a Ride-and-Drive event.
The Work Truck Show 2008 runs Feb. 26-28, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, with the Convention and educational sessions starting Feb. 25. The Summit is from 9am to 4:30pm on Feb. 25.
"As the leading commercial truck and equipment event, The Work Truck Show is uniquely positioned to bring together policymakers, technical experts and manufacturers to provide insights on the latest technology developments and guidance on how to effectively integrate these new products into a fleet," said Jim Carney, NTEA executive director.
The Honorable Clarence "Bud" Albright, Jr., under secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is scheduled to provide the Summit keynote address. Following Albright’s presentation, industry and academic experts will cover the hottest hybrid and alternative fuel topics in six general sessions. After lunch, attendees can choose from three sets of breakout sessions conducted by manufacturer representatives and fleets.
For a complete Summit schedule, visit: http://www.ntea.com/im/wts/2008/WTS2008_Hybrid_Brochure.pdf.
