LA Auto Show Green Cars Ride & Drive Offers Media Test Drives of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- On Nov. 18, the Los Angeles Auto Show will host a unique opportunity for media to drive some of the most advanced electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles available.  At least 13 brands representing North American, European and Asian automakers are participating, making it the LA Auto Show's largest Green Cars Ride & Drive to date.  From 9:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. media will be able to experience back-to-back comparison drives on city streets in real world conditions. The Ride & Drive is sponsored by Southern California Edison (SCE), the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) and Nielsen Automotive.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060612/LAM005LOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060612/LAM005LOGO)

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 CODA Sedan, Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid and Wheego LiFE.  Other green vehicles available to test drive include the Audi A3 TDI, BMW ActiveHybrid 7, Mercedes-Benz B-Series F-Cell, MINI E, Volvo C30 Electric, VW Golf TDI, plus others. Three 2011 Green Car of the Year® finalists are featured as well, including the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan LEAF and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

"It wasn't long ago when alternative fuel or electric drive was a novelty. Now, auto manufacturers are expected to include fuel efficiency and better overall environmental performance in some form among their model offerings," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com.

Ride & Drive sponsors Southern California Edison and the Electric Drive Transportation Association will be exhibiting at the show to help educate media and consumers about important considerations to evaluate before purchasing an electric vehicle.  Together, they will launch a new consumer website, www.GoElectricDrive.com, that provides tools and information on owning and operating an electric car including electricity rate calculators, available charging equipment, installation options and when to call the electric utility company.  

On the morning of the Ride & Drive, sponsor Nielsen Automotive will be announcing the winner of the first annual Nielsen Automotive Green Marketer of the Year Award. The award measures the most effective green marketer and will focus on understanding which auto brand was able to raise the awareness and change perceptions around environmental issues most effectively.

About Green Car Journal®

Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an award-winning auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles. A sample of the print edition may be viewed online at www.GCJUSA.com.

About the Los Angeles Auto Show

The 2010 LA Auto Show will be held Nov. 17 and 18 for the press and Nov. 19-28 for the public. Media registration is now open at LAautoshow.com/Press.html and the last chance to register online and still receive credentials in the mail is Nov. 4.  Join the LA Auto Show conversation by following the show at Twitter.com/LAAutoShow, Facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow and sign up for alerts at LAAutoShow.com.

SOURCE Los Angeles Auto Show