West Virginia University’s National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium will show its commitment to clean air and energy independence during a National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at WVU’s the National Research Center for Coal and Energy building.

The event, a partnership between NAFTC, the National Research Center for Coal and Energy, WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and West Virginia Clean State Program, will feature an alternative fuel vehicle expo, informational exhibits, a video available for viewing and giveaways. It is sponsored locally by the NRCCE, Morgantown Power Equipment Rentals, Coca-Cola, University Motors and Papa John’s Pizza.

The local Odyssey event is one of more than 100 being held concurrently across the United States to educate the nation on the use of alternative fuel vehicles.

“We are very excited to present this Odyssey event,” said NAFTC Executive Director Al Ebron. “We are convinced that alternative fuel vehicles are the future for our country, and we feel Odyssey will help us educate and inform the public about what is available now and what the future may hold, so they can start to make plans for adopting alternative transportation.”

“The NAFTC will display its Toyota Prius, a hybrid electric vehicle, and Honda Civic GX, a natural gas vehicle,” Ebron explained. “The Electrical Vehicle Association of WVU will present its Formula Lightning electric race car, and WVU’s EcoCar Team will be on site to answer questions about their re-engineered Saturn Vue. In addition, George Law from Monongalia County Technical Center will display an electric vehicle, and Chip Wamsley, owner of Wamsley Cycles, will have a 2010 TREK electrical-hybrid bicycle on site.”

The WVU Office of Sustainability—WECAN also will be promoting WVU’s sustainability efforts and will be asking attendees to sign “The Pledge,” a personal commitment that WVU students, staff and faculty can make to increase their personal sustainability actions.

National AFV Day Odyssey is coordinated by the NAFTC, which is a program of WVU. Since its inception in 2002, Odyssey has drawn record-breaking crowds at sites nationwide, allowing millions to hear its message. Participants take part in ride-and-drives, educational seminars and training workshops while being provided with numerous networking opportunities.

The goals for this year’s Odyssey are to attract more than 200,000 attendees at 125 sites across the country and to reach 75 million people through media coverage.

Odyssey is supported in part by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, which awarded grants to the NAFTC and its partners for the Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the Clean Cities Learning Program. National sponsors Toyota, Honda, Eaton Corporation and Think also are contributing to the 2010 National AFV Day Odyssey.

About the NAFTC

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium is the only nationwide alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle training organization. Including a group of 50 higher education institutions, the NAFTC is dedicated to informing technicians, first responders and the public about clean, cost-effective vehicles. The Clean Cities Learning Program will raise awareness and foster a greater understanding of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, including biofuel, gaseous fuel, hydrogen-powered and electric drive vehicles. The multi-phase, comprehensive Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program will help promote and further the acceptance and use of advanced electric drive vehicles.

For more information about the NAFTC and its programs, visit www.naftc.wvu.edu, and for a complete list of National AFV Day Odyssey events, visit www.nationalafvdayodyssey.org.

WVU

10/13/10

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CONTACT: Judy Moore, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
304-293-7882 (office), 304-669-4870 (cell)
Judy.Moore@mail.wvu.edu

ON-SITE CONTACT: April Henry, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
304-293-7882 (office), 740-391-1150 (cell)
April.Henry@mail.wvu.edu