Hybridfest Green Drive Expo

[forestacademy]

http://www.greendriveexpo.com/
It took some digging, but It looks like Smart Milwaukee will be shoing at this event. They sure some like to talk about anything that has a conventional engine in their promotions but knowing the smart beets a lot of hybrids on the market for MPG makes me happy.
Activities

[Kermit]

I figure they'll be smugged right out of the place by the hybrid drivers.

[forestacademy]

So Sunday I decided to kill some time and see some of the Hypermilers Verhicles.I walked in and went over to the smart booth, (car and Table). I hardly get away from the display. I had a ball taking smart

It's a lot of fun being an informed owner and an endless line of folks comming by with questions as well as a diverse group of body types trying it on for size.

Smart Milwaukee only had two folks on site, Their service tech was outside maning the test drive cabrio, while the brand manager was inside with the second car sighning folks up for the test drive. Its not often folks get a chance to test drive them in Madison.

So while he was maning the table, I was getting folks into the car, answering their questions (all the usual ones) and constantly putting the carpet in the rear cargo area up and down to show cargo space or the engine. I got real good at that silly hook to hold it up. And folks realy responded to me when I would say Im not a salesmen, but an owner.

I had to keep showing the engine to show its not electric.

I was also happy I had just read that LA Times artical on the Mini Test market issues. It helped me explain to many folks what some of the issues are about bringing functional electric cars to market.

I did get to get areound for a few min to look quickly at some of the other cars folks were showing. Here are some pics.

When I got to the Fair where the event was being held I got one of those "smart" parking spots. The Big pick up was taking up two spots, so I fit in behind him where no other car would fit.


Make a few Duct tape modifications to your car and you can get great MPG too


Or you could just drive one that doesn't meet any of todays standards.

The Sectret to Hypermiling,

Beaded seat covers.

See larger images here http://s643.photobucket.com/albums/u...0drive%20expo/

More later

[forestacademy]

The event used to be called Hybridfest, but they are realy pushing the Green drive expo name now, A lot more variety this way.

The hotel next to the event has a lot full of old insights and prius

Besides the Big Ford Display, They must have dumped a large chunk of change, and the toyotoa display, their were several other vendors.

PHEV Hits for $995.

Zen had a car there, but as I have learned before, you need to plan your trips around town based on the speed limits on the road.

An Electric Harly, kind of frankensteined

Some student work, I never saw an adult try and sit in this car.

An electric van NEV, the kids were all over this thing, even if the sign did say keep kids out.
It was kind of nice at the smart booth, the car as never swarming with kids like the zen and this van

And there was the scanguage guy there. It was nice to finaly get the entire lowdown on the gadget, Someday, someday ill get one

[ericbecky]

Awww man!

I can't believe I missed you there!!

Dang it!

It would have been great to see you!

The smart car display went very well. Ryan and his crew did plenty of test drives. It was so good to get people into the smart car and give it a try. I hope smart center is able to pick up some sales from the event because they worked hard all weekend.

You are correct about the name really trying to focus on Green Drive Expo. The event clearly is not just about hybrids. The event is meant to bring together the different communities.

I've said before about how important it is for us all to work together to share ideas about our vehicles with the public. The smart car is a great, fun alternative for people. Unfortunately many people have never taken the time to actually get into to one. They just assume some of the myths are true. (ie it's too small: Untrue. It's under powered: Untrue.) So by doing these kinds of events and having actual owners in attendance, we can all help to dispel the rumors.

Again, I'm glad to hear that you made it and that you had a good time. Too bad we missed each other.

Keep in touch, because I'd love to meet up if you are ever in the area!

[Kermit]

Looks like you had a blast Forest!! I can remember the planning of the original Hybridfest. (bunch of people were from the Greenhybrid forum) A lot of them have moved on from hybrids (me too) and went to hypermiling with normal cars. Then was the next stage....modding your car to get better mileage.

The Civic is an old original member of the GasSavers forum, got to see the transformation of his car over the years. You should of seen his old Pizza pan wheel discs he used to have. Never met the owner....WI is too far from FL.

[forestacademy]

Eric, the tech here in Wi took the hypermiler from Jersy out for a test drive in the smart. He said he was hypermiling the entire time.

Never got above 35 mph poped it into N several times, and even turned off the key at least once while moving.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Eric, the tech here in Wi took the hypermiler from Jersy out for a test drive in the smart. He said he was hypermiling the entire time.

Never got above 35 mph poped it into N several times, and even turned off the key at least once while moving.

I regularly neutral coast in the Smart and when it's cooler I shut down at long stoplights (that I am familiar with) but can't bring myself to do an EOC. I used to do it all the time in my Metro.

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Eric, the tech here in Wi took the hypermiler from Jersy out for a test drive in the smart. He said he was hypermiling the entire time.

Never got above 35 mph poped it into N several times, and even turned off the key at least once while moving.

Yeah, he mentioned the engine off coasting. That must have been interesting! I learned quite a bit over the weekend. I'm always amazed at the breadth of knowledge at these events.

I just noticed this from your original post.

Originally Posted by forestacademy

And folks realy responded to me when I would say Im not a salesmen, but an owner.

This is why it is so important that some of you guys show up to this event next year. It a great chance to get in front of a large variety of people and share your story with them. On Saturday, in addition to the indoor commercial exhibits, owners have their cars parked outside in front of the building. It's a great way to engage them in conversations about the cars.


And as much as I wanted to ignore Bum-bling-B's "smug" comment, I feel like I need to respond. Bum-bling-B, car guys are car guys, man. No reason to think that one is better than the other. Car guys like to talk about their cars no matter what they drive. If you check out the July 19 Channel 3 video on the press section Green Drive Expo web site, you will find out that I have owned a muscle car and classic car. So just because I currently drive a hybrid doesn't mean that I am a smug person. Hopefully someday you'll get to know me and find out that I'm just a regular guy who likes to bring together folks for a fun time. Pitting one car community against by insulting them is pointless. Live and let live makes for a much happier world.

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by ericbecky

And as much as I wanted to ignore Bum-bling-B's "smug" comment, I feel like I need to respond. Bum-bling-B, car guys are car guys, man. No reason to think that one is better than the other. Car guys like to talk about their cars no matter what they drive. If you check out the July 19 channel 3 video on the Green Drive Expo web site, you will find out that I have owned a muscle car to classic car. So just because I currently drive a hybrid doesn't mean that I am a smug person. Hopefully someday you'll get to know me and find out that I'm just a regular guy who likes to bring together folks for a fun time. Pitting one car community against by insulting them is pointless. Live and let live makes for a much happier world.

ericbecky - sorry, the internet is a funny place. I guess I should of used a "SMILEY FACE " after that comment. Once again I left that part out. I am a "car guy" through and through who sleeps, eats, drinks & lives everyting cars so I understand exactly what you mean.

You see, there are people out there who watch television shows that at times are humorous. One came to mind at the time I wrote that - South Park. Once again, sorry I should of put a smiley face in there. Oh, and I've had a couple hybrids myself.....including a Citrus Green Metallic Insight. Sorry you took that as an insult. Forest will tell you, I have a slight sense of humor at times.