New Electric Vehicles From World's Automakers Make U.S. Debut in Orlando
9 December 1997
New Electric Vehicles From World's Automakers Make U.S. Debut in OrlandoTimely Orlando conference to highlight vehicles that address some of the issues raised in Kyoto ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 9 -- It's not an auto show, but media and consumers will get their first look at vehicles people will be driving in the next few years, when electric vehicle industry stakeholders gather in Orlando, Florida this week. At the 14th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS-14), the world's largest automakers will give attendees the first U.S. opportunity to see, touch and drive some of the most advanced vehicles ever put on the road. Among others, Toyota will introduce the e.com, a small electric commuter vehicle and the Prius, an advanced propulsion fuel cell vehicle. EVS-14 also will be the site of the North American debut of the Nissan Altra EV, powered by lithium-ion batteries. For the first time ever in North America, public admission to EVS-14 will allow consumers to test drive more than 30 state-of-the-art EVs. "As the world's leaders conclude their meeting on environmental issues in Kyoto, the world's largest automakers will be coming to Orlando to show off the clean electric and hybrid electric vehicles they're introducing to the market today," says Robert Hayden, executive director of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA). "EVS-14 brings together all the key players who will lead the industry to the next century." The opening and closing keynote speakers at EVS-14 are William Clay Ford, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., respectively. "The significance of having a member of one of the auto industry's founding families usher in the next century of advanced vehicle technology is unmistakable," says Hayden. "In addition, Robert Kennedy's reputation as an environmental leader only serves to highlight the importance of EVS-14." EVS-14 will bring together nearly 2,000 top EV experts from around the world to discuss automotive design and technology advancements, infrastructure development and solutions to commercialization issues. In addition to the three day symposium, the event will feature an EV Parade at Epcot Center on December 11, Media Days on December 12 and 13, and Public Days on December 13 and 14. SOURCE Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas