What new technologies and fuels are coming for heavy-duty vehicles, how much will they reduce emissions and fuel use, and how much might they cost? Reflecting the rapid change and growing concern over emission technology choices, industry support for the fourth annual Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Conference has tripled over the last year. Organized by WestStart-CALSTART and the U.S. Army’s National Automotive Center (NAC), the conference provides a look across all heavy-duty vehicle technologies, fuels and solutions. It will take place Feb. 25-27, 2004 at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Rancho Mirage, Calif. The updated agenda can be found at www.weststart.org. Industry and government support is represented by sponsors such as the NAC, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), South Coast Air Quality Management District, AVL Powertrain Engineering, California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Caterpillar, Engineered Machine Products (EMP), Integrated Concepts Research Corp. (ICRC), Mack Trucks and Engines, Mark IV Automotive, Michelin North America, Oshkosh Truck and Trillium USA. At a special kick-off session the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 25 hosted by Alan Lloyd, chairman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), truck engine makers will engage in a roundtable about responding to current government requirements. At lunch the next day, Charles Gray, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Advanced Technology Division will speak about what’s over the horizon. Highlights from this year’s program include: * Updates from truck and engine OEMs on latest technologies * Strategies for off-road vehicles to deal with proposed new regulations * Briefings on hybrid, natural gas, and fuel cell technologies * Discussions on availability of cleaner fuels and state of the infrastructure * Reports on in-use fleet experiences with alternative fuel vehicles Attendees also will be able to view the latest clean technologies and vehicles at the expanded conference exhibit site, featuring products from Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel, ISE Research, Mack Trucks, Michelin North America, Trillium, International Truck, SunLine Transit, Georgetown University, Delco Remy, and British Petroleum.