As we head into our sixth annual ACT Expo, we have seen petroleum prices plummet around the globe; however, we have continued to see tremendous momentum with the nation’s leading fleet operators continuing to push the envelope with advanced clean transportation fuels and technologies.
Despite lower fuel cost savings, fleets using alternative fuels like natural gas and propane autogas are still seeing attractive price margins while benefiting from long-term price stability. Experienced fleets know that, historically, unstable petroleum prices can climb just as sharply as they drop. And with EPA’s new ozone standards and an increased focus on climate change following the Paris Climate Conference, there is an increased focus on the transportation industry—the single largest contributor to air pollution.
Set for May 2-5 in Southern California, the ACT Expo conference agenda and show floor will reflect the momentum shifts the advanced clean transportation sector has experienced over the last year.
Most recently, we have seen electric vehicle adoption increase like never before with record sales reports. Natural gas infrastructure and engine technology for heavy-duty trucking continues to expand and fleets from coast to coast are consistently purchasing new NGVs. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have emerged as an increasingly viable option with several major OEMs launching fuel cell models. Propane autogas has seen solid growth with several products soon to hit the market, and biofuels are benefiting from technology gains and evolving policies.
The 2016 ACT Expo program was crafted with input from high-volume fleets that include Frito-Lay, FedEx, Pacific Gas & Electric, Walmart, Anheuser-Busch, UPS, Ryder, the City of Los Angeles, Penske, and many others, as well as a U.S. Dept. of Energy Clean Cities committee and international alternative fuel industry associations.
Here are a few highlights of the four-day event:
- An agenda packed with leading fleet case studies: Fleet managers—from package delivery services to neighborhood utilities, waste disposal fleets, long-haul carriers, and more—will share how they determine which technologies and efficiency measures offer the greatest advantage for their unique operations based on paid miles, routes and logistics, refueling accessibility, grant funding, and maintenance costs.
- North America’s largest clean fleet expo hall: Clean vehicle technologies will take over the Long Beach Convention Center exhibition space, with hundreds of sponsors and exhibitors and over 60 vehicles and engines on display. The expo hall show floor will showcase the latest fuels and technologies across all applications and weight classes; EVs, HEVs and PHEVs; LNG, CNG, and propane autogas; biofuels; vehicle charging and refueling technology, equipment, and station providers; and more.
- Co-located industry events: ACT Expo will feature several partner events, including a trucking efficiency workshop organized by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency and Carbon War Room, the California Hydrogen Business Council Spring Summit, an electric vehicle workshop co-hosted by the Electric Drive Transportation Authority and the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative, and the Future of Fuels Summit organized by Business for Social Responsibility, among others.
With more than 3,000 stakeholders expected to convene in Long Beach, including fleets, technology companies, OEMs, infrastructure developers, fuel providers, and policy makers, ACT Expo 2016 provides the perfect opportunity for fleet managers to access comprehensive information on super low emissions technologies and make the connections necessary for alternative fuel project implementation.
