Across the pond in the United Kingdom at this year’s EcoVelocity Green Motor Show, attendees are invited to test drive a range of “green” vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles.

The expo runs from May 5-13, and manufacturers participating in the program include Chevrolet, Honda and Nissan as well as European brands Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The idea behind it is to provide a true hands-on green motoring experience at EcoVelocity. To do that, a 3.5-mile test route has been set up at London’s ExCeL, which will be hosting the event. There’s also a central stage that will offer informative presentations and debates on the subject of green motoring.

Giles Brown, who is organizing this year’s EcoVelocity event, said that “test drives, when taken in isolation can be time consuming. Our unique offering and facility will allow visitors to take almost back-to-back test drives, giving motorists the opportunity to make direct comparisons [between different models] and work out which vehicle best fits their requirements.”

In order to participate, attendees are required to have a valid driver’s license.

Greater London, as one of the world’s major urban centers has been vigorously pushing green transportation initiatives in recent years, notably the city center congestion charge. This initiative was introduced by former mayor Ken Livingston and expanded by his successor Boris Johnson, as was a plan to introduce some 1,300 public charging stations at various points across the city. This is part of a plan to support as many as 100,000 electric vehicles in Britain’s capital.

Programs such as the EcoTest will no doubt further help spread the word on sustainable motoring by giving a real hands-on experience to members of the public and illustrating the benefits of owning a green vehicle.

And if it flies on the other side of the Atlantic, there’s no reason why a similar Expo and test program wouldn’t work in the U.S., especially in big cities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.