PASADENA, CA – CALSTART’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) will hold its 2008 HTUF National Conference Oct. 14-16 in South Bend, Ind. The conference will be hosted by Bosch Rexroth and takes place at the South Bend Marriott Hotel and adjacent Century Center, with the world’s biggest hybrid truck ride-and-drive at the nearby Bosch Proving Grounds on the final day.

The HTUF conference is expanding in 2008 to three full days, featuring enhanced fleet educational sessions on hybrids, truck-maker product briefings, and the latest performance and purchase information.

The 2008 conference will feature a new “Hybrid 101” session and truck-maker product briefings. The conference will include the latest field test results, military developments, technology briefings, and incentive and market information. A session on the emerging high-efficiency construction equipment market is also new this year.

The final day features a medium- and heavy-duty hybrid ride and drive, with more than 30 leading-edge trucks currently available for on-track driving. The huge collection of hybrid and efficient vehicles provide ideal photo and video opportunities, including hybrid versions of small buses, school buses, straight trucks with various bodies and accessories, refuse trucks, military vehicles, delivery trucks, and Class 8 “big rig” truck tractors representing both electric and hydraulic hybrid drivetrains.

HTUF’s market development process and partnership with commercial and military users, including its partner the Army National Automotive Center (NAC), brings together truck makers, system providers, fleet managers, military developers, and policy experts to speed the implementation of hybrid and more efficient truck technologies.

“HTUF has helped hybrid trucks transition from development and validation to early production and sales,” said Bill Van Amburg, CALSTART senior vice president. “This transition is happening at the perfect time to help users combat high fuel prices and cut carbon emissions: 2008 conference attendees will touch what’s available today and help shape what’s coming next in truck efficiency.”

For more event information, visit www.htuf.org or call Debby DuBose at (626) 744-5600.