DOT Administrator to Speak at Road Rally Event

San José—On September 30, 2005, Dr. Ashok G. Kaveeshwar, Administrator of the US Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), will speak at San José State University in conjunction with the California Fuel Cell Partnership’s annual Road Rally event. In front of nearly 20 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Dr. Kaveeshwar will address transportation issues that affect the Silicon Valley.

According to RITA Administrator Kaveeshwar, “The California Fuel Cell Partnership provides a great example of the kind of collaborative effort that is needed to move hydrogen fuel cells from the laboratory to streets and neighborhoods across the country. The development of a safe, hydrogen-powered transportation system promotes the Administration’s goals of improving mobility, increasing fuel efficiency and promoting environmental stewardship.”

RITA, created under the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act, is designed to effectively coordinate and manage the Department of Transportation’s research portfolio and expedite the implementation of cross-modal, innovative technologies.

“Road Rally 2005: Fueling the Future” brings hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, a mobile refueler, a hydrogen reformer, a fuel cell stack model and numerous other technologies to the Bay Area for a three-day event starting in Berkeley on September 29 and ending at the Presidio in San Francisco on October 1. Members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership will highlight hydrogen as an alternative fuel during the event and will be on hand to answer pressing questions about the future of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Bay Area residents will have an opportunity to experience these technologies by test- driving hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, watching vehicles refuel or learning about how hydrogen is made.

Media are invited to join California Fuel Cell Partnership at any of the locations. A media “sneak peek” at Road Rally will occur on September 29, 2005 at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley at 1:00 PM. Media will be able to direct questions to representatives from leading auto manufacturers, energy companies, government agencies, fuel cell technology companies and transit agencies. There will also be an opportunity for media to test drive vehicles from eight different auto manufacturers. RSVP for the event is required.

For more information on Road Rally 2005 locations, visit our web site www.roadrally2005.org or contact Meghan Blake at (916) 375-8034 or mblake@cafcp.org.

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For more information, please contact the California Fuel Cell Partnership at: 916-371-2870 or by e-mail: info@cafcp.org