5th International Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Conference To Feature Clean Diesel Technology's Role in a Greener Future

International Gathering of Government, Environmental and Industry Officials

BALTIMORE, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The progress and future of greener and cleaner vehicles – large and small – will be on exhibit and the focus of expert panel discussions during the 5^th International Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Conference (EFV) at the Baltimore Convention Center from September 10-12, 2012.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120201/MM46474LOGO)

This is the first time the EFV Conference has been hosted in the United States and the first time heavy duty truck issues will be included along with passenger car forums.  The theme of the conference is Innovation, Investment and Opportunity.

The official hosts of the conference are the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environment Canada.  The three-day agenda includes environmental officials from the United Nations and several other nations, members of the media, and industry officials participating in a wide variety of panel discussions (see below).  In addition, several clean energy vehicles, ranging from clean diesel, electric to fuel cell vehicles, will be available to view and test drive on Monday.

The Diesel Technology Forum is a sponsor of the conference and an exhibitor.  Also, Allen Schaeffer, the Forum's Executive Director, will moderate a panel discussion entitled "Technologies and Fuels for Economic Growth and Sustainability in the Heavy Duty Sector".

"The Diesel Technology Forum is extremely proud to be a sponsor, exhibitor and panelist during the first International Environmentally Friendly Vehicle Conference to be hosted in the United States," Schaeffer said.  "With an international gathering of government, environmental and top industry officials, this conference will offer a unique opportunity to learn about the success stories and challenges associated with global efforts to expand the use of cleaner and more efficient vehicles."

"Ride and Drive" To Include Some of the Greenest Cars in the World
"In addition, the 'Ride and Drive' will give people the opportunity to drive some of the most green cars in the world, including the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI which was voted the '2012 Earth, Wind & Power Car of the Year for Most Earth Friendly' automobile," Schaeffer said.

"Clean diesel technology has made tremendous strides in the just the past decade in all sectors – from automobiles, trucks, off-road equipment, power generation to marine vessels.  Diesel engines and the companies that make them have met unprecedented and competing environmental challenges to achieve near-zero emissions and meet growing customer productivity and efficiency demands.

"They've been successful by undergoing a transformation fueled by technology, innovation, embracing environmental stakeholders and incorporating award-winning sustainability and community service programs around the world."

Schaeffer said these advancements in clean diesel technology and the challenges of the future will be highlighted prominently in two of the expert panel discussions:

"Making Gasoline and Diesel More Environmentally Friendly: Progress and Potential"
Wednesday, September 12^th, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Room 331/332)

• Angela Greiling Keane (Moderator), Journalist, Bloomberg News
• John E. Kirwan, Chief Scientist, Gasoline EMS and Powertrain Products, Delphi Corporation
• John Viera, Global Director, Sustainability and Vehicle Environmental Matters, Ford Motor Company
• Dave Coleman, Powertrain Engineer, Mazda North American Operations
• Stuart Johnson, Director of Environmental Compliance, Volkswagen Group of America
• Rich Kassel, Senior Vice President, Gladstein Neandross and Associates

"Technologies and Fuels for Economic Growth and Sustainability in the Heavy Duty Sector"
Wednesday, September 12^th, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Room 331/332)

• Allen Schaeffer (Moderator), Executive Director, Diesel Technology Forum
• Sam McLaughlin, Manager, Advanced Technology and Research, Volvo Group Truck Technology
• Dr. Stephen Charlton, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Cummins, Inc.
• Donald Keski-Hynnila, Manager, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, Detroit Diesel Corporation/Daimler Trucks North America
• John Kargul, Director, Technology Transfer, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, United States Environmental Protection Agency

More than 15 panel discussions and keynote presentations will provide global perspectives on transportation fuels and technology including:

• The Impacts of Asia Pacific Growth on the EFV Market
• Consumer Acceptance of Environmentally Friendly Vehicles
• Cars and Carbon – Where Are We Going and Do We Know How to Get There?
• Sustainable Global Freight – Greening the Supply Chain
• Sustainable Fuels from Biomass – The Status and Future of the Advanced Biofuels Industry
• Electric Cars and the Grid
• Latin America's Approach to the EFV

The U.S. government participants include:

• Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, White House
• Bob Perciasepe, Deputy Administrator, U.S. EPA
• Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. EPA
• Margo T. Oge, Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, U.S. EPA
• Jim Blubaugh, Deputy Director, Transportation and Climate Division, SmartWay Program, U.S. EPA
• Maureen Hand, Senior Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. DOE
• Patrick Davis, Program Manager, Vehicle Technologies, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. DOE

International participants include:

• Sven Alkalaj, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
• The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, Canada
• Philippe Jean, Head of Automotive Unit, Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry, European Commission
• Ambuj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Heavy Industry, Government of India
• Nobutoshi Horie, Deputy Director, Environment Policy Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Japan
• Markus Becker, Advisor, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Germany
• Marcelo Fernandez, Chief Air Quality Department, Ministry of Environment, Santiago, Chile

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Allen Schaeffer
http://www.profnetconnect.com/allen.schaeffer

Contact:
Steve Hansen
[email protected]
301-668-7230 (o)
202-355-3664 (c)

(View this press release online here.)

SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum