AltCar 2009: Touring the show with the Governator
Gov. Schwarzenegger learns about the Chevy Volt - click above for high-res image gallery
During the opening day of the 2009 AltCar Expo & Conference here in Santa Monica, Governor Schwarzenegger stopped by for a tour of the green vehicles on display. He learned about the Volt from Dave Barthmuss (above), sat down in a Tango and the Wheego Whip, learned about the MINI E and stopped by the California Fuel Cell Partnership's booth. He also gave a skeptical look at the guy in the booth who was promising more energy out of the system than one puts in. Of course, since this is the Governator we're talking about, he arrived and left in a caravan of large vehicles, but at least he learned a little bit more about his options for getting around should he want to ditch the giant SUVs.
Photos copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris C 6:22PM (10/03/2009)
" Of course, since this is the Governator we're talking about, he arrived and left in a caravan of large vehicles,"
Oh Pah-Leeze, how about making your next report about the fleet of priuses that 'His Highness, Lord Obama' travels in.
A little objectivity would be nice...
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jake 7:05PM (10/03/2009)
I don't see ABG particularly favoring Obama over anyone else or overly criticizing the Governator. And the Governator is pretty much into green initiatives and its just a small friendly poke at him. I think common sense dictates why people like Obama or the Governator might need heavy vehicles (main part being armor against bombs and bullets, this is esp true of a presidential fleet).
Sebastian 7:17PM (10/03/2009)
Indeed, this was supposed to be lighthearted. And we did take a critical look at Obama's ride a while back:
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/15/presidents-new-ride-may-be-diesel-powered-but-is-it-emissions/
jpm 7:59PM (10/03/2009)
oh shut up
the presidents rides around in 747s and oversized helicopters; he doesn't have a choice
arnold chooses to own hummers
Nick 10:37PM (10/03/2009)
Chris C
By "a little objectivity" you mean hating Obama?
This isn't your megachurch NRA support group, it's a car forum, there's nothing in it favoring either Arnold or Barack. Get a life.
Carney 10:09AM (10/05/2009)
There are plenty of flex-fuel SUVs that can run on E85.
Even among SUVs that are pointlessly locked in to running on petroleum only, some at least are hybrids. In my opinion gasoline-electric hybrids are useless at best, but they carry significant credibility among many greens and alt-car fans.
It's pretty bad form to show up at an event like this in a conventional gasoline only SUV.
And for a famous green, alt-fuel pushing pol like Arnold to do so reeks of elite hypocrisy.
letstakeawalk 6:29PM (10/03/2009)
"He also gave a skeptical look at the guy in the booth who was promising more energy out of the system than one puts in."
A little more detail, please. Which guy/booth are you referring to?
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Sebastian 7:13PM (10/03/2009)
i'll have a post up about this booth later in the week.
Chris M 11:26PM (10/03/2009)
Glad to know that Arnold can be a skeptic when it matter!
Tohe 3:04AM (10/05/2009)
@letstakeawalk
My bet is on the Water Wheel Car: http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/a-water-wheel-to-drive-an-electric-car-fat-chance/
kert 3:14AM (10/05/2009)
This must have been one of GM guys .. 230MPG yay !!!
Sebastian 10:31AM (10/07/2009)
Here's the post on the free energy booth:
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/altcar-2009-ef9s-unlimited-clean-energy-turbine-could-go-int/
Yanquetino 11:44PM (10/03/2009)
Sebastian: Did Ahhhnold stop by Tesla's area at the show? Rumor had it that he wanted to turn his Roadster back in to them. Maybe they had it on display...?
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ViaTierra 5:14AM (10/04/2009)
Pictures 31 & 32 show him standing right in front of a Roadster.
Yanquetino 10:32AM (10/04/2009)
Hey, you're right, ViaTerra. I wonder if that was the Roadster he rejected...? Curious how he is looking in the other direction in both photos. I also wonder what Mary Nichols was interjecting while Tom Gage was showing him the Mini E. Hmmm. IMHO, he should oust the former and put the latter in her position.
Laurens 7:32AM (10/04/2009)
Arnold knows his voters (and opponents). A picture of him getting in and out of a Lotus type of car...
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