You've seen the specs, seen the preview and now, here're the goods. The Electrum Spyder was the big unveiling at the Alt Car Expo, and I was able to speak with Greg Lane, Senior Vice President of Universal Electric Vehicle Corp. and designer of the Spyder, about the car and the attitude of UEV in today's market (hint: he doesn't like EVs that are just boxes on wheels). Lane said UEV is shooting to produce between 100 and 200 vehicles in the first year (they will start to be available in Summer 2007) from their California base. Like Tesla Motors, UEV is talking about a lower-priced sedan version of the EV in a few years. For now, we'll have to enjoy the sleek sights of the Spyder.

While I certainly will be working out in Santa Monica this weekend at the Alt Car Expo, I must admit that I'm also going to enjoy a getting out of the Midwest cold for a few days. I known Santa Monica is no Honolulu, but it'll do.

For now, this post is a bit sparse, but as we report from the Expo this weekend, I will link to all my stories from here (and this introductory text might change). Feel free to bookmark this post (use the "permalink" below for the exact URL) and check back throughout the weekend for updates. We'll have pictures, audio interviews and lots of cool news. Also, if there is a vehicle or a company you'd like more information about (you can see the list of companies attending here), then say so in the comments and I'll do my best to track down that info for you.

Here's are the Alt Car Expo stories so far (updated Thursday, 12/14):

• Alt Car Expo: Video of the Electrum Spyder and interview with the designer, Greg Lane
• Alt Car Expo: Dr. Andy Frank on kicking the oil habit with "no sacrifice in lifestyle"
• Alt Car Expo: Katie Rogers is Carless in L.A.
• Alt Car Expo: Ex-CIA head James Woolsey says Saudi Arabia can't beat PHEVs
• Alt Car Expo: Photo Gallery (includes a bus crashing into a tree)
• Alt Car Expo: Ed Begley and Terry Tamminen on Ending our Addiction to Oil Now
• Alt Car Expo: Brad Hirsch says the Qui Moto not likely to be Myers Motors next car
• Alt Car Expo: More info on Solar Bug, the converted ATV EV
• Alt Car Expo: Feed 400 horsepower with hydrogen, and maybe a cover model will ride along
• Alt Car Expo: Q&A with Plug-In America's Paul Scott
• Alt Car Expo: EV racing in a kit car
• Alt Car Expo: Edwin Black's Internal Combustion LIVE!
• Alt Car Expo: 1980 VW truck becomes a biodiesel Eco Rat Rod
• Alt Car Expo: Electrum Spyder prototype gets mid-show upgrade
• Alt Car Expo: eBox makes public debut
• Alt Car Expo: Electrum Spyder electric roadster unveiled. We've got pictures
• Alt Car Expo: Lee Iacocca gets a present
• Alt Car Expo: Southern California Edison continues PHEV push
• Alt Car Expo: LA biodiesel group "wants" to go out of business
• Alt Car Expo: Solar Bug NEV ready for production
• Alt Car Expo: Movie stuntcar maker builds an electric sprint car for the street? Cool!
• Alt Car Expo: video of the homemade, 100+mpg Moonbeam
• Alt Car Expo: Q&A with Roy Graham on Altairnano batteries, Phoenix electric SUV
• Alt Car Expo: $70,000 Spyder EV teaser video
• Alt Car Expo: Pre-show set-up photos
• Electrum Spyder to be demoed at Santa Monica Alt Car Expo this weekend
• AltCar Expo coming to Santa Monica