The 2012 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo recently took place at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, Calif., convening the largest gathering of alternative fuel and clean vehicle stakeholders in North America this year.
More than 2,500 stakeholders gathered at the Long Beach Convention Center for the sold-out conference to examine challenges currently facing the clean transportation industry and how they can be overcome via exciting advancements in vehicle and fuel technologies. Opportunities for encouraging the wider adoption of alternative fuels were also examined and identified.
Against the backdrop of $4 per gallon gasoline and diesel prices, ACT Expo showcased real-word success stories of clean vehicles powered by electric, hybrid, hydrogen, natural gas, propane and renewable fuel technologies. In total, 21 different conference sessions during the three-day event explored the future of the alternative fuel industry, and provided strategies and highlighted best practices for successful clean vehicle deployments.
Companies participating in ACT Expo 2012 that are helping pave the way to alternative fuel future include Ryder System, Inc., Frito-Lay, Waste Management, Shell Oil Company, American Honda Motor Co., Ford, General Motors, Daimler Trucks North America, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Toyota, CODA Automotive, VIA Motors, GE, NASCAR, Chesapeake Energy, United Parcel Service, Swift Transportation, and many others.
On Tuesday, May 15, the ACT Expo conference sessions commenced with a keynote address from Wesley Clark, retired U.S. Army Four Star General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Clark is also co-chairman of Growth Energy, member of Clinton Global Initiative's Energy and Climate Change Advisory Board, and director of BNK Petroleum.
A sold-out expo hall opened Tuesday afternoon with 100,000 sq. ft. of space dedicated to providing attendees with tangible access to the advanced, clean vehicles of the future. More than 80 clean vehicles were on display representing all alternative fuel types and applications, including transit buses, class-8 tractors, utility and refuse trucks, light-duty passenger vehicles and more.
On Wednesday, May 16, ACT Expo hosted a "Ride and Drive" with 30 of the cleanest, advanced vehicles commercially available for free test-drives around the Long Beach Convention Center.
Conference sessions closed on Thursday, May 17 with a keynote address from Ryder System, Inc. Chairman and CEO Greg Swienton, followed by an executive roundtable to share ideas and identify critical path issues as the industry works to scale up sales numbers for alternative fuel vehicles.
Due to the overwhelming response the 2012 ACT Expo received, event producers Gladstein, Neandross and Associates also announced dates for the 2013 ACT Expo, scheduled for June 24-27, which will take place in Washington, D.C.
A detailed list of ACT Expo 2012 sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, training sessions and vehicles is available at www.actexpo.com.
Find ACT Expo online at www.actexpo.com, www.twitter.com/ACTExpo and www.facebook.com/ACTExpo.
