Rising oil prices, gas-electric hybrid car mania, and the future of fuel cells: the EDTA Conference and Exposition 2004 will address these timely topics and more.

June 4, 2004-Washington, DC- Rising oil prices, gas-electric hybrid car mania, and the future of fuel cells: the EDTA Conference and Exposition 2004 will address these timely topics and more. Leading automotive and industrial vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, technology developers, academia and government officials will gather in Orlando, Florida from September 21-23 to discuss three important facets of electric drive: technology, market development and policy. With an auto-caliber exposition floor, a diverse agenda, and a Ride 'n' Drive of current and future battery, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, the event is expected to be the largest gathering of the electric drive industry in North America this year.

"The EDTA Conference 2004 program offers something for everyone involved in electric drive transportation activities," says EDTA President Brian Wynne. "In addition to the unveiling of exciting new products, the diverse agenda and speakers will offer attendees incredible insight and understanding into the issues surrounding the development and commercialization of battery, hybrid and fuel cell electric drive."

A special lunchtime debate between Joseph Romm, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions and Dr. Daniel Sperling, Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis, will seek to answer the question, "A Hydrogen Economy: Today's Hype or Tomorrow's Reality?" Other notable confirmed speakers include Ed Fitzgerald, Automobile Sales Manager for Costco Wholesale; Eugene Zeltmann, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority; and, top executives from automobile manufacturers spearheading electric drive technologies.

The exposition floor will boast American Honda, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Lexus, as well as Dana Corp, Enova Systems, Michelin, Cobasys, Hydrogenics, WaveCrest Labs, the U.S. Department of Energy, and many more leading companies of the electric drive industry.

Online registration, a complete agenda, exhibitor list and speaker roster are available at www.edtaconference.com.

Media Note: The EDTA Conference 2004 Media Day will be on Tuesday, September 21, in conjunction with the Ride 'n' Drive and Exhibitor Press Conferences. Please call Jennifer Watts at 202-408-0774 or email jwatts@electricdrive.org for more detailed media information.

The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) is the industry association working to advance electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure through policy, information and communication initiatives in the United States. EDTA is the premier organizer of electric transportation industry events and conferences, and EDTA is pleased to sponsor all international Electric Vehicle Symposia (EVS) held in the Americas, as well as the EDTA Conference series. For more information on EDTA, visit www.electricdrive.org.