Green Grand Prix Showcases Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Friday, July 13, 2007 8:02 AM CDT

The scenic community of Watkins Glen, N.Y. once again played host to the Green Grand Prix on July 6 as hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles highlighted energy independence and a cleaner environment.

The Green Grand Prix features a road rally held on a 78-mile course around the perimeter of beautiful Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The event is organized annually by the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, according to Executive Director Carol Fitzgerald.

“This was our third annual Green Grand Prix and it was tremendously successful,” said Fitzgerald. “The goal of the event was to be able to create more awareness of alternative fuels and the impact they can have on the environment.”

There were a total of 36 different vehicles in the road rally this year representing 10 different fuel types.

“We had everything from hybrid vehicles, to the ethanol-powered vehicles, we had electric,” Fitzgerald said. “We actually even had a wood-chip powered vehicle.”

Representatives from the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) participated in the road rally driving one of only 20 new 2007 Ford Escape Flex Fuel Hybrids currently being tested around the country.

RFA Communications Director Matt Hartwig and EPIC Communications Director Joanna Schroeder were able to average nearly 31 miles to the gallon in the Ford Escape, which is on loan to RFA from Ford to test drive.

Hartwig says the concept of the Green Grand Prix is something that could be duplicated in other areas of the country.

“The focus was to bring together all the technologies that we will need if we’re to break our addiction to oil,” said Hartwig. “So, the event really underscores the message that the ethanol industry has been promoting in that it will take a whole host of solutions to address our energy concerns in this country. Ethanol happens to be one of those solutions, and one that is readily available today.”

There were several hybrid vehicles participating in the event and Hartwig explains the technology.

“It’s where there is an electric motor working in tandem with the regular internal combustion engine to propel the car,” says Hartwig. “What is unique about the Ford Escape flex fuel hybrid is that now it’s incorporating the E85 flex fuel technology with that hybrid technology.”

Joanna Schroeder with EPIC says the event also featured a panel discussion and display of alternative vehicles.

“The ultimate purpose was to showcase to consumers that we have all of these great technologies, including this hybrid flex-fuel technology that will be on the market within the next two to ten years,” she said.

The Green Grand Prix was followed by the Watkins Glen Grand Prix IndyCar Series on July 8, where all cars were running on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol. Both events helped to increase public awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles. More information about the environmental benefits of ethanol and E85 is available at http://www.drivingtethanol.org.

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