By aftermarketNews staff

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — The Green Truck Ride-and-Drive at The Work Truck Show 2011 will be the largest in the event’s history, with 22 hybrid, alternative fuel (including pure electric) and high-efficiency diesel work trucks available for attendees to drive. Additional green commercial vehicles will provide equipment demonstrations in a stationary display area adjacent to the outdoor Ride-and-Drive course.

The Work Truck Show 2011 is held in conjunction with the 47th Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. The Work Truck Show runs March 8-10, with educational programming starting March 7. The Green Truck Ride-and-Drive is open to all Show attendees on Tuesday, March 8, and Wednesday, March 9, from 12 to 4:30 p.m.
     
The Green Truck Ride-and-Drive debuted at the Work Truck Show 2007. Thanks to the recent expansion of the Indiana Convention Center, the NTEA has enough space this year to meet the growing demand from manufacturers to showcase a record number of cutting-edge hybrid and alternative fuel work trucks in the Ride-and-Drive. Participating vehicles range from a compact electric van to a Class 8 truck fueled with compressed natural gas. Other vehicles will feature technologies such as electric, hydraulic, and plug-in hybrids. The Ride-and-Drive course covers city streets to provide a realistic driving experience.
     
“Driving the trucks in real-world conditions gives people a true feel for how the vehicles handle, how they drive, how user-friendly they are, and how transparent the green technology is to the operator,” said Bob Johnson, NTEA fleet relations director. “Participants can see whether or not a vehicle requires any special driving techniques because of the green technology it uses. The Ride-and-Drive can really help clarify the differences, advantages and disadvantages of various green technology applications.”
           
Access to the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive is included free with Work Truck Show registration. Attendees sign up on the Show floor for the vehicles they want to drive on a first-come, first-served basis. A CDL is required in order to drive some of the vehicles. The Ride-and-Drive is sponsored by Hino Trucks.
           
The following vehicles are currently scheduled to be available in the Ride-and-Drive. All are subject to change.