Clean Choice car show to put spotlight on hybrids

Kate Schrank doesn't expect anyone to stop driving.

Or to run out and buy a new car if they don't need one.

But the president and founder of Partners for Clean Choice hopes to convince more Naperville residents to go with lower-emission vehicles next time they buy.

"Industry emissions are really down in Illinois and vehicle emissions are higher," said Schrank, an attorney who practiced environmental law for 15 years. "We're saying, 'Did you know there are so many clean choices on the market now?' "

Schrank, currently a student at Catholic Theological Seminary in Hyde Park, is doing more than talking about how people should make more environmentally-friendly choices. She aims to educate with a Cool Ride -- Clean Choice Vehicle Show April 26 at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

Clean Choice already has had an interfaith discussion on environmental stewardship and held middle school poster and high school logo competitions. The winning logo, created by Katie Khau of Naperville North High School, will be displayed on static-cling stickers available to owners of environmentally clean vehicles.

"Little by little, we hope to see a lot of these cars in town with this logo," Schrank said.

Her multi-pronged approach is designed to garner broad support for the Clean Choice campaign, which Schrank started as part of her master's thesis work on how to implement Catholic environmental teaching at the community level.

"People are motivated in different ways to make changes. Some of us are motivated by faith. Some of us are motivated by health," she said.

The main event of the Clean Choice campaign will be the car show April 26, Schrank said. Nine local dealers will show their hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles that have been qualified as clean cars by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and the Illinois State Treasurer's office.

Some clean vehicles can qualify for federal tax credits and $1,000 rebates if financed through state-authorized banks.

Clean vehicles also can result in fuel cost savings over time, but that is not the main reason for buying them, said C.J. Lydon, business development and public relations manager of Saturn of Naperville and North Aurora.

"Eight out of 10 times the customer focus is more on being earth-friendly than saving themselves a few dollars in fuel," she said.

Saturn will have its hybrid Vue SUV and Aura sedan at the car show. Lydon said the hybrids account for about 10 percent of the dealership's sales.

"That will be increasing as the public becomes aware the vehicles are available," she said.

Hybrids save fuel costs and reduce emissions by switching from fuel use to the battery in situations where hard acceleration is not needed.

"With hybrids, they drive just like a regular car," said Schrank, who drives a hybrid 2006 Toyota Highlander.

"The maintenance (of hybrids) is not much different," said Omer Aslam, sales manager with Dan Wolf Automotive Group, which offers both hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.

Flex fuel E85 cars and trucks use a fuel that is 85 percent ethanol, but can run on regular fuel as well, Aslam said. Two drawbacks may be that E85 gets less mileage and is less available, he said.

Gas City, the only provider of E85 in Naperville, is a sponsor of the clean car show, Schrank said.

The show also will include speakers such as John Walton, manager of the DuPage County Forest Preserve fleet, which has all hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles.

People who buy clean vehicles from the nine dealers represented at the show will receive "Cool Ride -- Clean Choice" City of Naperville stickers, Schrank said. Those who already own clean vehicles will be able to buy the stickers for $1 from the city, she said.

"The vision of Clean Choice is the city of Naperville enhances its reputation as a wonderful place to live," Schrank said.

If you go

What:Cool Ride -- Clean Choice Vehicle Show

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26

Where: Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville

Contact: www.cleanchoice-naperville.com.