FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
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(R) 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.
The Work Truck Show 2008 runs Feb. 26-28, 2008, 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 H. "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 full Summit schedule, visit http://www.ntea.com/im/wts/2008/WTS2008_Hybrid_Brochure.pdf.
During Work Truck Show hours on Feb. 26 and Feb. 27, show attendees can take 15 of the latest street-legal hybrid and alternative fuel commercial vehicles for a test drive as part of the Hybrid Truck and Alternative Fuels Ride-and-Drive. Try a battery electric truck with a 150-mile range, a series hydraulic hybrid-powered vehicle or a plug-in hybrid utility service truck, among others. The show floor is open from 11am to 5pm on Feb. 26 and 27, and from 10am to 2pm on Feb. 28.
Additional commercially viable hybrid and alternative fuel trucks and equipment, as well as electric and telematics technologies, will be displayed in the Advanced Truck Technology Pavilion on the show floor.
Produced annually by the NTEA, The Work Truck Show brings together vocational fleet managers, equipment buyers and maintenance personnel with the manufacturers, distributors and dealers that produce the trucks and equipment critical to their work. Attendees check out the latest full-size work trucks and equipment while examining individual vehicle components offered by 534 exhibitors. The event also features technical and business management training sessions.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.ntea.com or call 1-800-441-NTEA (6832).
About the NTEA
Established in 1964, the NTEA is the leading association supporting the $131 billion commercial truck and trailer industry. The Association currently represents more than 1,700 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, bodies, equipment, trailers and accessories. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and a government relations office in Washington, DC.