5.04.2006 ET

(CSRwire) GREENFIELD, MA - The unsung heroes participating in the national 2005 Tour de Sol - America's sustainable energy and transportation festival and competition - offer alternative solutions to the energy crisis. People in the Northeast can meet these heroes and see a wide assortment of advanced vehicles when the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) presents the 2005 Tour de Sol in Saratoga Springs and Albany, NY May 13-16.

"The world has reached a point where the demand for oil has exceeded the supply," says Nancy Hazard, executive director of NESEA. "Drilling for oil will not solve the problem."

For the past sixteen years, students, corporations, and government agencies who care about climate change and the security, health, and economic implications of oil dependence have been developing and demonstrating clean vehicle technologies at the Tour de Sol. Today, the event embraces three competitions and showcases over 50 advanced vehicles offered by major auto, truck, bus and bike manufacturers, concept vehicles by students and entrepreneurs, and other displays by business and government leaders.

"The Tour de Sol aims to demonstrate that we can reduce oil use and climate change emissions from the transportation sector, which uses two-thirds of the oil and emits one-third of the climate change gases," says Hazard. "We believe that developing and using climate friendly, secure and non-toxic energy to power our economy and our transportation system and improve our health and quality of life is an achievable goal."

On Saturday, May 14 dozens of hybrid and biodiesel vehicle owners participating in the Tour de Sol's new 100-mpg Monte Carlo-style rally will converge at Saratoga's Spring Auto Show held at the Saratoga Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs, NY, from 10am-5pm. They will join student and corporate teams competing in the Tour de Sol Championship and E-bike competitions for concept vehicles, which aim to achieve reduced climate change emissions and zero oil consumption.

Other exhibits include: Honda's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (the FCX); cars to heavy trucks that run on natural gas; all three of the new hybrid SUVs - the Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX400h, and Ford Escape - that get 30 mpg or better in the EPA city driving cycle; concept vehicles with new lithium batteries; biodiesel suppliers and vehicles; electric bikes and neighborhood vehicles; and clean vehicles used in New York State Parks and other state agency displays. Admission to the Auto Show and the Tour de Sol is $7 at the door. Children under 12 are free. $2 off coupons are available on the Tour de Sol web site www.TourdeSol.org.

On Monday, May 16, the Tour de Sol participants will drive to Albany's Empire State Plaza for a free display from10am-2pm. Here, New York State business and government will join them with displays of real-world examples of clean transportation solutions that their partnership has produced. Governor George Pataki has been invited to speak at the 11am awards ceremony.

"Governor Pataki and the State of New York understand the economic and environmental advantages of advanced vehicles," says Hazard. "It is an honor to have the opportunity to bring the Tour de Sol to New York." Major sponsors of the Tour de Sol are the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Center for Technology Commercialization. Key supporting sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy, the New York Power Authority, Toyota, the New York State Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Federal Highway Administration, New York State Parks, The Automotive Career Development Center, Honda, Environmental Alternatives, and the Electric Drive Transportation Association.

NESEA, organizer of the event, is the nation's leading regional education and advocacy organization that aims to accelerate the deployment and use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. NESEA produces major sustainable-energy events that inspire and motivate large numbers of people to get involved and make a difference.

For more information on the 2005 Tour de Sol, the Monte Carlo-style Rally, E-bike competition, and events in Saratoga Springs and Albany, and $2 off coupons for the Saratoga event, visit www.TourdeSol.org or contact NESEA at 413.774.6051.

NOTE TO ALL MEDIA:Photos are available upon request. Photo Gallery of Tour de Sol Championship entrants can be found at http://www.nesea.org/transportation/tour/2005entrants1.html

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