SANTA MONICA, Calif. --- The Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo featuring AltCar (AltCar Expo), set for Oct. 19 and 20 in Santa Monica, Calif., will let attendees test drive the latest and most technologically advanced electric, natural gas, biodiesel, hydrogen, fuel cell and ethanol cars. Some of these vehicles will be unveiled for the first time ever at the show. The event will also feature several speaking panels. Admission to the AltCar Expo is free of charge. On Friday morning, fleet operators and the press will have the opportunity to test drive vehicles, speak with vendors, and schedule test drives within their own cities and agencies. The 2006 event drew more than 10,000 people to see vehicles now available such as Honda's natural gas Civic GX and the electric Spyder Electrum sports car; vehicles of the future like Mercedes Daimler Chrysler's fuel cell Elegance and a hydrogen Toyota Prius from Quantum Technologies; an EV1 from Peterson's Automotive Museum; and vehicles off-the-beaten path such as the Solar Volkswagen Bug and the electric Zap Xebra. This year's event will showcase even more cars, while expanding the focus to include other types of alternative energy. "After last year's AltCar Expo was widely recognized as the premiere event of its kind, it became apparent to the city of Santa Monica that yet another focus was materializing --— the next logical step was to incorporate alternative energy into the program," said Craig Perkins, environmental and public works director for Santa Monica. "At least 75 percent of the products and services at the AltCar Expo are viable energy or transportation alternatives and currently available for purchase." A transportation planning and legislation discussion is one of many speaking panels bringing together car manufacturers, industry leaders, alternative and green fuel advocates, lawmakers, scientists, and government agencies.