Street Smart San Diego 2007 Highlights

Street Smart San Diego Offers Info on Energy Efficient Vehicles

Environmental activist and actor Ed Begley, Jr. (www.livingwithed.net) joined San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, State Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Chair Senator Christine Kehoe, executives from Toyota Motor Sales, Mossy Automotive Group, and industry leaders from throughout San Diego last month for California Center for Sustainable Energy’s inaugural transportation event: “Street Smart San Diego. The topic at hand? Street Smart Transportation: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Their Promise for A Sustainable Energy Future.

Actor and Environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. was awarded California Center for Sustainable Energy’s inaugural Energy All-Star Award at the Prado Ballroom in Balboa Park.

Street Smart San Diego is a series of three events designed to showcase a full complement of electric, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), biodiesel, ethanol and otherwise clean-burning vehicles and spec cars — and the local, state and federal incentives for driving said vehicles — to the greater San Diego community. The event was designed to educate citizens about alternative fuel vehicles, why they are important — and the incentives they can realize by purchasing these vehicles for personal or business use.

Another important element of Street Smart is to educate the public on how they can equip themselves, their families and their vehicles to be more fuel-efficient and road-safe during this summer’s peak drive times.

The event was comprised of 1) A VIP Cocktail Reception and fund-raiser; 2) A regional news conference announcing an array of vehicles available on the market today and their impressive mileage/performance metrics, as well as the incentives folks can realize for buying these economically-friendly vehicles and 3) A 10-day display at the San Diego Automotive Museum to showcase these vehicles to thousands of San Diegans.

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Transportation Committee Chair and San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer drove up to news conference in a 1916 Ford Model T, which nearly a century ago achieved 25 MPG in fuel efficiency. San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye, Chair of San Diego’s Natural Resources and Cultural Committee, discussed the “Here and Now” technology of today’s hybrid vehicles. And Toyota executives showcased the company’s futuristic hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technology while City of Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Castaneda demonstrated the clean emissions of such vehicles by drinking from a cup of collected emissions (water).

Ed Begley, Jr., who drove his Toyota Prius from Los Angeles for the event, spoke of his experience with alternative fuel vehicles. The event was emceed by CCSE Executive Director Irene M. Stillings. Following a Q&A with reporters, San Diego Automotive Museum Executive Director Bob Swanson introduced the Street Smart Alternative Fuel Vehicle Exhibit, which was on display at the museum through Memorial Day. The event was slated for just before the Memorial Day weekend, designed to dovetail with folks’ planning of holiday and summer road trips.