The City of Knoxville will be participating in an inaugural event to showcase alternative fuel options when the Tennessee Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow rolls into Smokies Park Wednesday, March 13th, from 9 a.m. to noon.

More municipalities are diversifying their fleets and infrastructure to include electric vehicles and cars that use propane, natural gas and biofuels, according to the Clean Cities Coalition. The coalition is presenting the roadshow. A series of educational events and vehicles will be on display. Jake Tisinger, Project Manager for the City's Office of Sustainability, is one of several speakers scheduled to attend.

"Electric vehicles and alternative-fuel cars can be a means to cut fuel costs and contribute to better local air quality," said Susanna Sutherland, Director of the Office of Sustainability. "This roadshow is a one-stop shop to learn more about the safety and infrastructure behind each fuel type."

Currently, the City's Fleet Services Department has a propane-powered vehicle on loan from a vendor. It is being offered to various departments for an extended test drive. Once City employees complete a test drive, they are asked for feedback. Fleet has tested other alternative-fuel vehicles and will continue to test options as they become available.

The show is making stops in Kingsport, Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis. Admission is free but registration is required. Smokies Park is at 3540 Line Drive, in Kodak. Take I-40 to Exit 407.

East Tennessee Clean Fuels, Middle Tennessee Clean Fuels and the new West Tennessee Clean Fuels organizations will be on site, along with speakers from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee State Energy Office. The tour is produced by AdVentures. For more information, visit www.afvroadshow.com.