Sustainable Transportation

Information about Sustainable Transportation

Green Car Club

Tour de Sol

Green Vehicles on the Market

Educational Materials

Workshops for Educators

Sustainable Transportation Links

Recommended Books

Sustainable Transportation

Since transportation uses two-thirds of all the oil in the US, and it emits 60-90% of the urban air pollution and one-third of the climate change emissions, changing how we get around and the fuels we use are key to reaching the goal of a sustainable energy system.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) has several programs that:

Challenge the car companies, students, inventors and entrepreneurs to design, build, demonstrate and bring to market vehicles that aim to reduce oil use and climate change emissions to zero
Educate the public, decision makers and the press about the benefits and availability of green vehicles
Offer educators the resources they need to bring transportation, energy and the environment into the classroom
Engage young people in activities that help them develop skills in whole systems thinking, research, design, critical thinking, and teamwork, and give them the information they need to make informed decisions.

Following is an overview of these programs and links to more information.

Tour de Sol, America's Number One Green Car Show and Competition "Driving Toward Zero Carbon Emmisions"

Started in 1989, this high profile public event has won numerous awards. It is held annually in May. It challenges car companies, students and entrepreneurs to build more environmentally friendly vehicles, and showcases to the public, decision makers and the press progress made toward our goals of vehicles that aim to reduce oil use and climate change emissions to zero.

The "21st Century Automotive Challenge" Takes Over For The American Tour de Sol June 9-10, 2007, Burlington County, NJ

The Eastern Electric Vehicle Club (EEVC), a chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA) hosted a new alternative transportation event called the 21st Century Automotive Challenge on June 9-10, 2007 in Burlington County, New Jersey. The event website is http://www.eevc.info/2stcentautocomp.pdf.

The major emphasis of 21st Century Automotive Challenge will be real world competitiveperformances between battery-powered cars, hybrid cars, bio-diesel, and regular gasoline fueled cars. Solar assisted vehicles may also enter. The event will use as much of the Tour de Sol Rules and the traditional events and format as practical. Perry also hopes to add new activities for electric wheel chairs and three wheel electric scooters.

Schedule and Key Events

Saturday, June 9 Moving Competitions Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Sunday, June 10 Vehicle Show Smithville Mansion at the Burlington County Earth Fair

For more informationon this event please contact Oliver H. Perry at 609 268 0944 (home)or 609 922 7275 (cell) or at perrydap@aol.com.

Tour de Sol 2006

Results

Photo Essay

Entrants & Awards

Press

Tour de Sol 2005

Highlights

Educational Materials

NESEA has a number of educational materials available, including curricular units, lesson plans, activity planners, and a searchable resource catalog for upper elementary, middle and high school students.

For example, the Junior Solar Sprint program engages over 20,000 middle school children in the designing and building of a model solar car. We offer over a dozen professional development workshops for educators for this program alone.

Resources

Greener Vehicles on the Market Today
Are you looking for a greener car, electric bike, neighborhood electric vehicle, or bus? Take a look at our list and links to more information.

Information about Sustainable Transportation
Do you want to find out more about why we should embrace greener vehicles today and what you can do? Browse our resources on sustainable transportation to learn more.