Montana’s National AFV Day Odyssey – Alternative Fuel Vehicles Offer Hope To High Gasoline Prices, 10/3, Missoula

As our country faces still another year of crisis revolving around our dependence on foreign oil, a cleaner environment, and sound economics, alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and advanced technology vehicles offer hope. On Friday, October 3, 2008, Americans can learn about the benefits of AFVs through an exciting, nationwide celebration called National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey. Coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), this year’s exciting event is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. DOE Clean Cities Program.

Each year since its inception in 2002, National AFV Day Odyssey has drawn record-breaking crowds and has allowed millions to hear Odyssey’s message. Building upon the success of past events, Odyssey 2008 is positioned to break all records, with a total of 86 sites being conducted nationwide. In 2006, with 60 participating sites in three countries, the event surpassed even our expectations attracting nearly 40,000 attendees and more than 30 million individuals reached through media coverage. Participants took part in activities such as ride-and-drives, educational seminars, and AVF training workshops, while being provided with numerous networking opportunities in an effort to educate the public on the benefits of these vehicles.

Given the on-going concern of abnormally high gas prices, cutting-edge technological developments, and fear about foreign oil dependence, there is a growing interest in energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The fourth installment of National AFV Day Odyssey will continue its mission to promote important AFV and advanced technology vehicle innovations and awareness and endorse them as viable options for consumers.

The University of Montana Sustainable Campus Committee will host Montana’s National AFV Day Odyssey event from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday, October 3 at University Center and Library Mall on campus

Headquartered at West Virginia University, the NAFTC is a nationwide alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle training organization that develops and disseminates curricula and training programs, and conducts education and outreach activities, and presently includes a group of thirty-five higher-education institutions dedicated to educating technicians and the public about clean, cost-effective vehicles. The Clean Cities Program is a government-industry partnership designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by advancing the use of alternative fuels and vehicles, idol reduction technologies, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends, and fuel economy measures. The Clean Cities Program was established in 1993 with its first designated coalition located in Atlanta, GA.

The Sustainable Campus Committee will feature displays of alternative energy vehicles and offer workshops on alternative fuels, Smart Car, electric conversions, hydrogen vehicles, biodiesel conversions, and more in the UC conference room. Other speakers will be address the need for new fuels and the role that Montana is playing in the alternative fuels evolution.

For more information about the local event or to register, contact R. Paul Williamson, 406 532 3227 For information about the national program, contact Amy Gandy, National AFV Day Event Manager at NAFTC headquarters by calling (304) 293-7882 or visit the National AFV Day Web site http://www.NationalAFVDayOdyssey.org.