"Innovation Motorcade" to Parade Electric Drive Vehicles Through the Streets of Washington, D.C.

Secretary of Energy to Join Earth Week Kick-Off


WASHINGTON, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With gas prices hitting $4 a gallon and the one-year anniversary of the Gulf oil disaster this week, on Tuesday Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu will headline a motorcade of battery, hybrid and fuel cell powered vehicles through Washington D.C. The parade takes place during Earth Week and is part of the Electric Drive Transportation Association's (EDTA) annual conference – in order to highlight alternatives to oil dependence.

The Honorable Steven Chu, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, will kick-off the "Innovation Motorcade" from L'Enfant Plaza Promenade at 10 a.m. with a press conference. He will be joined by EDTA President Brian Wynne, Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) renowned explorer and environmentalist Fabien Cousteau. They will discuss what needs to happen to reach President Obama's goal of 1 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2015, how electric drive technology means clean American jobs, and our overreliance on oil in light of the Gulf oil disaster. After the press conference, the vehicles will tour our nation's capital and end at the EDTA Conference Ride, Drive and Charge event at the Washington Convention Center.

The following day, the Honorable Ray H. LaHood, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, will be the keynote speaker at the opening plenary of the 2011 EDTA Conference, where leading government and industry experts will discuss the latest advances in electric drive technology and policies to accelerate the electrification of transportation.

"We are excited to show consumers and policymakers how many electric drive choices are available and how rapidly innovations are being brought to the market place," said Brian Wynne, the President of EDTA. "These cars and trucks, and the technology that supports them, are helping to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil, reducing driving costs and pollution, improving our national security and creating advanced energy jobs."

The documentary film Revenge of the Electric Car premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival on Earth Day, April 22. This week also features the New York Auto Show, where new models of electric vehicles will be the buzz of the show.

EVENT FLOW

■10:00 AM: Opening press conference (with Secretary Chu, Rep. Ed Markey, EDTA President Brian Wynne, EDTA co-chair Ted Craver, and Fabien Cousteau) followed by Q&A (approx 25 cars will be present); LOCATION: L'Enfant Promenade just south of the intersection of Independence Avenue and 10th Street SW

■11:00 AM – 11:45 PM: Cars and trucks depart for Innovation Motorcade through Washington, D.C.

■12:15 PM: Walter E. Washington Convention Center "Ride, Drive and Charge" event, where the public can interact with the vehicles and charging stations.

About EDTA

The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the trade association representing battery, plug-in, hybrid and fuel cell electric drive technologies and infrastructure companies. EDTA conducts public policy advocacy, education, industry networking, and international conferences. EDTA's membership includes vehicle and equipment manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers, component suppliers, and others. For more information about EDTA and its members, visit www.electricdrive.org. For consumer information about owning and operating electric vehicles, please visit http://www.goelectricdrive.com/.


SOURCE The Electric Drive Transportation Association