Alternative vehicle fuels which could help reduce emissions will be the focus of an upcoming conference to be held at Sunderland University.The Partners4Automotive two day conference will give attendees an insight into the future of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas and propane.Among the attendees will be the world's largest manufacturer of electric vans and trucks, Smith Electric Vehicles. The firm has provided Sainsbury's, British Nuclear group and TNT – which won a green transport award – with vehicles.Also present will be Newcastle City Council head of fleet services Brian Fothergill.The 800-strong fleet he oversees has a stock of vehicles which run on five per cent biodiesel from waste.He told The Journal newspaper: "The benefits of going green are obvious, especially on a financial level. Even if the cost of oil goes up or down, it will always be advantageous to make fuel cheaper in the long term."