AltCar Expo, Oct. 19 & 20, at Santa Monica Airport

Last year, Santa Monica held its first annual AltCar Expo, a two-day event that showcased the breadth of all available and upcoming alternatively fueled vehicles. Held at the Santa Monica Airport's sprawling Barker Hangar-where Tesla Motors unveiled its Roadster in June-the event promoted all manner of cool machines.

This year, organizers expect more than 10,000 attendees, what with last year's success and the avalanche of announcements about exciting new plug-ins from industry heavy weights such as GM, Ford, Volvo and Toyota.

Mary Nichols, newly named chair of the CARB, should deliver an intriguing keynote speech, given that CARB is months away from deciding whether to encourage vehicle battery use. Listen for hints of where she stands on BEVs versus FCVs. Other speakers include Dr. Andrew Frank, the father of the plug-in hybrid, former state assemblywoman Fran Pavley, author of California's landmark CO2 legislation, AB 32, and controversial FCV champion Terry Tamminen.

Special EVents include a "Super High Mileage Display" of the Society of Automotive Engineers' latest high-mileage prototypes. Honda will give rides in its FCX, an FCV capable, amazingly, of using four times the energy that a BEV requires to drive the same distance. Don't miss this opportunity to ride in a million-dollar car. You'll want to tell your grandchildren all about it because they'll never get the chance.

A total of 100 exhibitors also include AC Propulsion, Vectrix, ZENN, Miles Automotive and yes, Plug In America. Details: www.altcarexpo.com.