Sponsors Take Active Role in National ``Green Car'' Event

GREENFIELD, Mass.--April 2, 2002--Nearly two-dozen sponsors have signed on for the 14th annual electric vehicle road-rally championship. In addition to their financial support, most sponsors are finding ways to participate actively in the ``Tour de Sol: The Great American Green Transportation Festival.''

The Tour de Sol travels each year through the Northeastern United States combining an exciting competitive road rally with a series of festivals showcasing electric-drive vehicles, and a variety of other ``green'' transportation options. Among this year's sponsors are four major auto manufacturers as well as other corporations and a number of local, state and federal agencies dedicated to cleaner and more energy efficient transportation and energy options.

The two major (``gold'') sponsors for this year's events are the United States Department of Energy and American Honda Motor Corporation. The Department of Energy has been with the Tour since it began fourteen years ago and has viewed the event as a major testing ground for advanced automotive technologies. Over the years, the Department has gathered a great deal of real world information about energy efficiency and environmental impact of new auto technologies.

Honda returns for the third time as the lead corporate sponsor of the Tour de Sol. Honda plans to introduce a brand new hybrid vehicle -- using the Tour as the on-road debut for its new Civic Hybrid. This five-seat sedan is expected to achieve an EPA-rated 50 miles per gallon and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 80 percent. In addition several hybrid vehicles built by Honda are expected to compete in the road rally portion of the Tour.

Other high level (``silver'') sponsors include the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and Ensco, Inc. Ensco provides computerized scoring services for the road rally portion of the Tour as well as ``real time'' updates of vehicle positions via their web site. NYSERDA is involved in promoting the Tour to the general public as well as providing an exhibit during the New York City finish line festival.

Among the other auto manufacturers sponsoring the Tour is DaimlerChrysler, which will be displaying three different vehicles including its recently announced fuel cell prototype called the Natrium, the GEM electric neighborhood vehicle and a soon to be announced hybrid electric prototype. Toyota will be displaying its popular hybrid Prius sedan and will be providing test-drives through local dealers. Ford TH!NK Mobility will join the Tour for the finish line festival in New York City to showcase its TH!NK City electric vehicle, which will go on sale next fall.

Other significant (``bronze'') sponsors include Aramark Corporation, the nation's leading food service company; the Federal Highway Administration; the New York State Department of Environmental Protection; the New York City Department of Transportation; National Grid; the New York Power Authority; the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas; Commuter Page .com; and the Sustainable Development Fund.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation, Millenium Cell, the City of Philadelphia and the City of Baltimore are providing additional support.

Several dozen vehicles -- some currently available on the market as well as some one-of-a-kind vehicles -- will compete in the 350 mile (ck brad on mileage) road rally from Washington, DC to New York City. Tour de Sol festivals will be held during National Transportation Week, May 12-18, 2002 in Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Annapolis, MD; Philadelphia; Trenton; and New York City. All the festivals are free and open to the public.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association is the nation's leading regional association involved in promoting awareness, understanding, and development of non-polluting, renewable energy technologies. Headquartered in Greenfield, Massachusetts, NESEA has worked successfully in the fields of transportation, building construction and renewable energy for over 27 years. For more information on the Tour de Sol festivals, electric-drive vehicles, school field trip opportunities, and free educational resources go to www.nesea.org or call 413/774-6051.