18th Annual Tour de Sol: May 10-14, 2006 in Saratoga Spa State Park,NY

2006 Tour de Sol is a high tech, high touch event that will celebrate progress made toward more environmentally friendly vehicles that use less fuel and emit less climate change emissions, and offer new ways of getting around. A weekend “green car show,” several competitions, press-only events and a “student day” will attract thousands of people including the general public, students, manufacturers, and government leaders.

Now in its 18th year, the Tour de Sol will be in the news because it IS the news. Last year over 60 entrants and 40 exhibitors participated. This year we will showcase hybrid, natural gas, biofuel, electric, and fuel cell vehicles from Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Ford and more, New York State businesses and students, and inventors who share our vision of a sustainable energy future.

Events at the 2006 Tour de Sol

Wednesday, May 10: Technical testing for Championship vehicles
Thursday, May 11: Press and fleet-only events will include ride ’n drives in advanced vehicles and presentations at the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park .
Friday: May 12: A “Student Day” will bring 1000 students and government officials to a sneak preview and guided tours of vehicles in the Tour de Sol competitions and of the Saratoga Automobile Museum.
Saturday, May 13: America’s only “green car show” will be held at Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Spring Auto Show and attract thousands of consumers.

Competitions at the Tour de Sol

Competitions with $10,000 in prize money offer fun competitive challenges that showcase advanced-technology and push the envelope toward zero carbon emission vehicles. There is a competition for everyone!

The Monte Carlo-style Rally and High-Mileage Challenge offer advanced vehicle owners an opportunity to showcase their high-mileage driving skills in hybrid and biofueled vehicles in a one or two-day competition.
The Tour de Sol Championship challenges students, independent teams, and auto manufacturers to build one-of-a-kind or production vehicles that aim to reduce gasoline use and work toward zero climate change emissions. This five-day event involves multiple comprehensive events and activities.
The Around-Town Vehicle Competition challenges students and others to build electric bikes and neighborhood vehicles as well as off-road vehicles, and demonstrate their vision of auto-free communities in a one or two-day event.
The Junior Solar Sprint and H2Help competitions challenge middle and high school students to build model solar and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and compete in a one-day competition.

The Tour de Sol is organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). NESEA is an education and advocacy membership organization that facilitates the widespread adoption and use of sustainable energy by providing support to industry professionals and by educating and motivating consumers to learn about, ask for, and adopt sustainable energy and green building practices. NESEA accomplishes this through conferences for professionals, K-12 resources, high profile public events such as the Tour de Sol green car show and competition and the Green Building Open House, and resources such as our Sustainable Yellow pages that link consumers to building and renewable energy professions. To find out more go to www.nesea.org