West Virginia University students, staff and faculty will be the first in the nation to experience the 2012 version of a popular introduction to alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. The National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, an alternative fuel awareness event, is Oct. 18, but a preview of the Odyssey will be on display Friday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mountainlair.

National AFV Day Odyssey events are showcases for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles that allow attendees to learn more about these vehicles through exhibits, demonstrations, lectures and classes.

At the Mountainlair, the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, a program of WVU, will display its cutaway model of a Toyota Prius, HEVTE (Hybrid Electric Vehicle Training Educator), and a Chevy Volt, which is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The Monongalia County Technical Education Center will provide its electric vehicle, “Sparky,” a 1993 Mazda MX3 converted to electric drive by students at MTEC. Chesapeake Energy will feature a compressed natural gas Chevy Tahoe and spokesperson Phillip Pfister (winner of the 2006 Met-Rx World’s Strongest Man competition) will be on-hand to answer questions. The Blue Bird Corporation will exhibit one of its propane-powered school buses. The event will also feature information tables from the NAFTC, the WV Energy Club, WECAN: WVU Office of Sustainability and Alternative Fuel Solutions of Pennsylvania.

In addition to learning about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, those attending the Mountainlair preview will have an opportunity to register to win an Apple iPad. Participants who complete a survey about the event will be eligible to win. The winner will be announced on Oct. 18.

“Use of the Mountainlair gives us a great opportunity to connect with the student body,” said Al Ebron, NAFTC executive director. “It will allow for a discussion of what we at the NAFTC are about and what we are doing with National AFV Day Odyssey. Through this event, we hope to help all of our attendees understand the importance of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and how they can help make a difference in reducing our nation’s dependence on petroleum.”

The national event, established in 2002 and occurring every two years, is coordinated by NAFTC. It will be conducted in more than 160 locations across the country. In celebration of the event’s 10th anniversary, this year will be the largest nationwide event since Odyssey’s inception. It will also include international locations in Gothenburg, Sweden and Paris.

NAFTC established the event to promote the use of, and provide education about, alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

The Oct. 12 preview is sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Energy, Chesapeake Energy and Alternative Fuel Solutions of Pennsylvania.

For more information on National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, see: http://www.naftc.wvu.edu/outreach/national_afv_day_odyssey

For more information on National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, see: http://www.naftc.wvu.edu/

-WVU-

10/10/12

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CONTACT: Judy Moore, NAFTC
304-293-7882 (office), 204-669-4870 (cell), Judy.Moore@mail.wvu.edu