Part road rally, part science fair and part UFO convention, the tour serves as both a large field trial and a public showcase for current and emerging green-vehicle technologies. Running from May 12 to 18, this year's race will feature a competition for electric, hybrid electric, and alternative-fuel vehicles; educational programs; and a carnival-like atmosphere that makes it just about as much fun as a geek can possibly have, short of a Space Shuttle launch.

This is a working competition, with the 70-odd vehicles broken down into classes and vying for points based on performance, range and overall efficiency of energy use. Entries in the Tour de Sol range from sleek, factory-built production and prototype units from the big automakers to quirky, often innovative wheeled wonders fielded by colleges, high schools and private citizens.

While the half-million-dollar factory prototypes never fail to amaze me, one of my favorite Tour de Sol experiences was listening to a sixth-grade girl explain the operation of the regenerative braking system used by the battery-powered VW bus that she and her classmates had entered in the race.

If you are anywhere close to the six stops the tour will make (Baltimore; Washington; Sandy Point, Md.; Philadelphia; Trenton, N.J.; and New York), I strongly suggest that you take the opportunity to catch it . You'll get to check out some of the most innovative vehicles on the planet, as well as meet some of the planet's most interesting innovators.

Much of the work to develop sustainable technologies involves unglamorous, incremental changes in the technologies and products we work with, so it's a real pleasure to get to kick the tires on the vehicles of the future. You'll see stuff like a 120-mph electric sports car, several experimental hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and a prototype 77-MPG, hybrid Ford Taurus, sitting next to production electric and hybrid cars that we can buy today.

Whether or not you can make it to the event, you can still follow it on the Web. Just stop by www.nesea.org. You'll find details on how to get to each of the tour's stops and even how to volunteer to help at the race.

Should you happen to come by the event in Trenton on May 17, you'll catch me there, volunteering as a test driver, registration assistant and general gofer. If you do come, I'd love to chat with you. I'll be easy to spot. Just look for the heavyset, bearded guy with an NESEA badge, sandals, a shoulder bag and a silly grin on his face.

Comments? Questions? Ideas for a better world? Write me at lgoldberg@green-electronics.com.

Lee Goldberg writes about green engineering, sustainable technologies, and communication and networking technologies at www.analogzone.com.