Green Car’s Ride & Drive Offers Rare Test Drives of Alternative Fuel Vehicles at the LA Auto Show

As the first major North American auto show of the season, the LA Auto Show has developed a strong reputation as a key show for emerging green trends and vehicles. During the show’s second Press Day, multiple vehicles from ten manufacturers representing North American, European and Asian automakers will be on hand to test drive on the streets of L.A.

Some participating vehicles are so new or in such limited quantity that previous test drive opportunities have been very rare or simply unavailable, such as the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Diesel and the electric Volkswagen E-Up!. Other green vehicles available to test drive include the BMW 335d, Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, MINI-E, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi i car, Volkswagen Euro Polo Blue Motion and Touareg TDI, plus others. Three 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists are featured as well, including the Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight and the Volkswagen Golf TDI.

As the first major North American auto show of the season, the LA Auto Show has developed a strong reputation as a key show for emerging green trends and vehicles. During the show’s second Press Day, multiple vehicles from ten manufacturers representing North American, European and Asian automakers will be on hand to test drive on the streets of L.A.

Some participating vehicles are so new or in such limited quantity that previous test drive opportunities have been very rare or simply unavailable, such as the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne Diesel and the electric Volkswagen E-Up!. Other green vehicles available to test drive include the BMW 335d, Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell, Honda FCX Clarity, MINI-E, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsubishi i car, Volkswagen Euro Polo Blue Motion and Touareg TDI, plus others. Three 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists are featured as well, including the Audi A3 TDI, Honda Insight and the Volkswagen Golf TDI.

“Today’s sharper focus on efficiency, CO2 reduction and better overall environmental performance has brought greater momentum to all types of ‘green’ vehicles, whether they’re powered by advanced gasoline and diesel engines or alternatives like electricity, hydrogen or biofuels,” says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal, editor of GreenCar.com and organizer of the Ride & Drive. “The ride and drive enables journalists attending the LA Auto Show to get behind the wheel of these innovative vehicles and put them through their paces on city streets.”

The Ride & Drive will be accompanied by displays from Southern California Edison and Plastics Make it Possible(SM). Auto show participants who visit SCE’s exhibit will get an early view of what they need to do to get their homes plug-in and electric vehicle ready. SCE experts will provide answers to frequently asked questions about electricity rates, charging equipment, installation options and when to call the electric utility. Plastics Make it Possible is a new campaign sponsored by the American Chemistry Council that highlights innovative uses of plastics. Within the automotive industry, plastics are helping improve vehicles through safety, performance and style. When it comes to the latest “green” vehicles, plastics allow manufacturers to make cars lighter and more fuel efficient, reducing green house gas emissions. Over the past decade, recycled plastics have been increasingly used in vehicle interiors and upholstery, allowing plastics to live a second life in automobiles.(SM)