The event aims to examine policies and legislation to promote electric vehicles and infrastructure, review local and national research on vehicle batteries and related technology, and build awareness among fleet managers and public officials about the benefits of plug-in vehicles.
“The conference is designed to showcase alternative transportation technologies and work toward the development of a pathway to energy independence,” said Wendy Lucht, coordinator of the Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition. “It’s one of dozens of Odyssey Day events, a nationwide effort coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium to educate the public about advanced technology vehicles.”
The event will feature speakers from the research divisions of General Motors, Mitsubishi and CODA Automotive; a session from the electric utility industry perspective with representatives from National Grid and Northeast Utilities; and a public policy forum featuring EPA administrator Curt Spalding.
Researchers from URI, Brown University, the University of Connecticut, BASF and Lithion Yardney will discuss their latest developments, while a discussion of electric vehicle fleet operations will feature representatives from Frito-Lay, Staples, and Plug In America.
The program will conclude with a discussion of how to install and permit an electric vehicle charging station, followed by vehicle demonstrations in the parking lot.
Program sponsors include URI, the State Office of Energy Resources, Providence Business News, the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, National Grid, and Inskip Motors.
Registration for the conference costs $50. For additional information, visit www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/ec/TakeCharge or call Lucht at 401-874-2792.