Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
'Cruising Cleaner Car Show 2005' is feature of Bluegrass Energy Expo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2005) - An array of "cleaner cruisers" - gas-electric hybrids, solar vehicles, even cars and trucks converted to run on vegetable oil - will be on display this weekend at the Lexington Convention Center.

It’s a show within a show. The Cruising Cleaner Car Show 2005 will be held during the second annual Bluegrass Energy Expo on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT and Sunday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The Cruising Cleaner Car Show will feature some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road today, including a hybrid Toyota Prius from the fleet of the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ), an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

"The cabinet is working to make state government more efficient, both in how we use tax dollars and energy," said Elizabeth Robb, of DAQ. "At the same time we are contributing to better air quality and showing the public that fuel economy is important when choosing vehicles."

Also on display: diesel cars and trucks that have been converted to burn vegetable oil. Workshops will explain how it is done. "There is a growing movement around the country to run diesel engines on vegetable oil," said Andy McDonald, Bluegrass Energy Expo assistant coordinator. "A conversion kit can cost $750 to $1,700, but it enables you to burn an essentially free, renewable fuel that reduces air pollution."

Also being featured: the UK Solar Car, a solar electric pickup truck, an ethanol vehicle from UK and hybrid vehicles from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Bluegrass Energy Expo is a project of Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest and the Kentucky Solar Partnership. It is presented by Lexmark International and Sylvania Lighting, with major support from the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy.

The Energy Expo is focused on educating Kentuckians about proven energy conservation, healthy home, and renewable energy solutions. The Expo also features a trade show, numerous workshops, free home energy and design consultations, a Children’s Expo, the Energy and Nature art exhibit, a full-scale energy-efficient construction exhibit from Habitat for Humanity, and a life-size straw bale structure.