LAS VEGAS– Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) hosts the 14th annual Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Conference + Expo 2008 in Las Vegas May 11-14. The fuel and technology neutral conference will host 2,000 public and commercial fleet decisionmakers to learn and discuss more about fuels, vehicles, and technologies available today that provide an alternative to fossil fuels.

Fifty sessions feature many of the decision-makers in alternative fuels and technologies, representing vehicle manufacturers, fuel suppliers, government agencies, and parts manufacturers. Session topics include legislation, funding, product availability, plug-in hybrids, ports, EPA engine standards, biofuels updates, electric drive advances, and tours of Las Vegas city, transit, water district, and taxi operation facilities.

"We are at a crossroads in the history of transportation," said AFVi Executive Director Annalloyd Thomason. "Fossil fuel based mobility is giving way to new demands for greater fuel efficiency, cleaner vehicles, and alternatives to petroleum. Those hardest hit are the fleet managers trying to navigate this new terrain. This conference presents the available options that will steer us to our transportation future."

More than 200 speakers will be making presentations in the general and concurrent sessions, as well as in Expo Hall's "Technology Showcase." Among the companies represented by speakers are AutoblogGreen, California Fuel Cell Partnership, Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance, Edmunds.com, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Environmental Protection Agency, Google, Navy Exchange Arlington, Odyne, Pacific Gas & Electric, UPS, VeraSun Energy, and spokespeople from all participating auto manufacturers.

Conference sponsors and exhibitors represent the products and services that define the industry today. The leading sponsors include the American Clean Skies Foundation, Clean Energy, American Honda, Foton America Bus Company, General Motors, and Toyota. Some of the 100 participating exhibitors include Austin Energy Plug-in Partners, Cummins Westport, Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, Ford, Freightliner, Global Electric Motorcars, National Biodiesel Board, Phoenix Motorcars, Propane Education and Research Council, and Sterling Trucks.

Attendees will have an opportunity to test drive vehicles during the May 13 Ride-n-Drive.

Fleet Day, sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Any fleet representative with 10 or more vehicles is eligible for complimentary admission, with a company business card. The general public is invited to participate at no charge on May 14 for Public Day, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rio Convention Center Pavilion.

The Alternative Fuels & Vehicles Conference & Expo 2008 is at the Rio All-Suite Hotel, 3700 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. Register at http://www.afvi.org/NationalConference2008/.