While propane is mainly known for its use in 4.8 million homes, it is also becoming more popular as a vehicle fuel. To meet the needs of automotive technicians skilled to maintain propane autogas vehicles, West Virginia University has partnered with the Propane Education and Research Council to develop and provide this training nationwide.

On May 24-26, WVU’s National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium conducted the newly developed Propane Autogas Vehicle Technician Training at the Blossman Gas facility in Asheville, NC.�

Developed by the NAFTC, this course was made possible through funding from PERC. The NAFTC and PERC are conducting a series of free Propane Autogas Vehicle Technician Training across the United States to bring this training to the automotive technicians that need it.

NAFTC Director William A. (Bill) Davis commented, “Training technicians on propane vehicles is essential to the success of this alternative fuel. Keeping these vehicles operating will continue to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. For every gallon of domestic propane we use, we require two less gallons of imported petroleum.”

Propane is an inexpensive, readily accessible alternative fuel that has been in use for several years. Available virtually everywhere, propane offers performance comparable to gasoline. It is also a domestic resource, which would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources.

In the years ahead, the demand for propane autogas technicians will grow. Automotive technicians must know everything currently applicable to propane autogas technology, along with understanding the advances in engine management and emission controls that affect the design and servicing of these systems.

Participants in the three-day entry-level propane autogas course obtain an in-depth understanding of servicing and maintaining these vehicles. The course includes topics such as propane characteristics, fuel systems, vehicle compatibility, system components, and safety. The training is a technical course for professional, experienced automotive technicians and automotive trainers, seeking to learn about propane autogas vehicles.

The Propane Autogas Vehicle Technician Training is also available at the NAFTC headquarters in Morgantown, W.Va. and other locations nationwide. The next training session is scheduled for June 14-16 at the Linn-Benton Community College in Lebanon, OR. More information, including where and when the training will be conducted, can be obtained by calling 304-293-7882 or visiting www.NAFTC.wvu.edu or www.propaneautogastraining.com.

-WVU-

jm/05/26/16

CONTACT: Judy Moore, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
304.293.7882, Judy.Moore@mail.wvu.edu

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