DuPage Green Drive$ Showcase

DuPage County and SCARCE are hosting Green Drive$ - an alternative fuel auto showcase on Thursday, May 10.

County Board Chairman Dan Cronin said the event provides a great opportunity for residents, local government, school districts and businesses to learn about the benefits of advanced alternative fuels.

“DuPage County strives to be a leader in providing government in the most cost effective and efficient manner. One success story has been our use of alternative energy because it not only impacts the environment, but it also affects our bottom line. I urge other government agencies and businesses to look into the benefits of going green,” Cronin said.

The Green Drive$ 2012 event, sponsored by Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at SCARCE, 799 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn. Admission is free.

Participants will have a chance to get a closer look at alternative fuel vehicles made by General Motors, Ford, Toyota, among other manufacturers. Throughout the event, speakers will discuss a variety of topics ranging from compressed natural gas vehicle conversion and hybrid cars to information on how to improve gas mileage. Those interested can also learn how to finance the construction of a compressed natural gas fueling station through public funds, grants and government rebates.

Transportation Committee Chairman Don Puchalski said a portion of the County’s green fleet will also be shown during the event. Since 2007 DuPage County has made an effort to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, in fact more than 43 percent of the fleet is green.

“Through the use of alternative fuel vehicles, DuPage County has saved approximately 30,000 gallons of diesel annually since 2007,” he said.

For more information, contact SCARCE at 630-545-9710.