By Lauren Browder and Camelia Todorova

"Living Green” recently had its day in the spotlight when the Pima Association of Governments presented the Alternative Energy Expo. With over 60 vendors presenting eco-friendly solutions, the vast array of alternative cars and fuels took the main stage.



The most popular cars at the show were among electric vehicles, hybrids, and fuel cell vehicles. These are the three main types of electric vehicles sold in America, according to the Electric Auto Association (EAA). The EAA and General Motors brought some of the most popular examples of these vehicles to the expo, allowing people to get inside and take pictures. Some of the show models were the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Toyota RAV4-EV, and the Honda EV Plus.

At the expo, alternative fuel was the next big thing aside from the cars.

“Arizona is the most aggressive state for alternative fuels,” said Mary Rohrer, National Account Manager for SC Fuels, a company that promoted one of the available fuel alternatives at the expo.

Biodiesel, Ethanol (E85), and Compressed natural gas (CNG) are currently the three available fuel alternatives, said Rohrer. Clean Energy and GM were the two other companies promoting environmentally friendly fuel.

According to the brochure for the Alternative Energy Expo, "Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources.”

Like Biodiesel, E85 is also made from natural resources. It is a corn derivative used in “flex fuel” vehicles, and is currently one of the most used in Arizona, explained Rohrer.

"There are over 75,000 vehicles, called flex-fuel vehicles, registered in the state of Arizona as of 2004 that could run on E85," according to the Alternative Energy Expo brochure.

The last type of alternative fuel is compressed natural gas, and companies like Clean Energy, the largest provider of vehicular natural gas in North America, say it’s the best option available.

“It is cleaner, cheaper, and domestic,” said Chad Lindholm, regional manager of Clean Energy.

Natural gas has lower emissions than most other fuel technologies, according to the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition. It is also leading the way for hydrogen technologies as well.

But for the common consumer, natural gas has one major benefit. It is $1 cheaper per gallon, unlike biodiesel which is generally more expensive, according to Rohrer.

And for environmental concerns, natural gas is near unbeatable.

“For every trash truck you take off the road and replace with natural gas, it’s the equivalent of taking 325 vehicles off the road in terms of emission reductions,” said Lindholm.

Currently in Tucson you can purchase natural gas at Clean Energy, located at the Tucson International Airport, 3034 E. Corona Road, (888) 732-6487.

Colleen Crowninshield, Clean Cities and Alternative Fuel manager, helped run the Alternative Energy Expo. She said the turn out was overwhelming, and the car and fuel presentations were a huge success.

Take a look at the Alternative Energy Expo Slideshow to get a peak at the festivities.