The 2012 National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey

October 17, 2012 - American Honda Motor Company, Inc. is a national sponsor for the 2012 National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey -- a popular nationwide event that has already introduced millions of participants to the benefits and availability of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Odyssey, a biennial event coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) based at West Virginia University and held at locations throughout the US.  Honda has sponsored Odyssey multiple times since its inception, including the inaugural event in 2002.

Odyssey events provide showcases for alternative fuel vehicles and allow attendees to learn more about alternative fuel vehicles through vehicle exhibits, demonstrations, lectures, and classes.  Honda alternative fuel vehicles will be displayed and their brochures and information distributed at Odyssey events across the country. There will be approximately 160 Odyssey events this year held across the country, and internationally in Gothenburg, Sweden and Paris, France.

“Participation in Odyssey lets us educate many people about Honda’s Civic Natural Gas,” said Eric Rosenberg, Honda’s assistant manager of sales and marketing for the Civic Natural Gas.   “It’s a vehicle more and more businesses and individual consumers are turning to as it is powered solely by economic, clean-burning, domestic natural gas. Produced on our factory line since 1998, the Civic Natural Gas is available today at select dealerships nation-wide.”

“Honda continues to be a valuable partner for National AFV Day Odyssey,” NAFTC executive director Al Ebron said. “Their goals to produce alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles have tremendously impacted the success of this industry and correlates with our goals to educate the public about the benefits of embracing these vehicles.”

Honda vehicles will be on display at the National Media Kickoff Event on October 18 at White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, including the 2012 Civic Natural Gas “Driving Change Across America” on the CNG Road Trip. The kickoff event will also feature a ride-and-drive with alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, some of which will be provided by Honda, dozens of alternative fuel displays and demonstrations and a host of speakers.

Honda has been one of the industry leaders in hybrid and alternative fuel production. Honda was the first auto manufacturer to offer a mass-production hybrid model in the United States and Europe. In addition to hybrids, Honda has produced the compressed natural gas powered Civic, the FCX Clarity (a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle), and a Fit BEV (battery electric vehicle).


About the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey

The National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey is a biennial outreach and education event dedicated to promoting the use of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. It is coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), a program of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. Odyssey is comprised of numerous green transportation related events coordinated and hosted by NAFTC members, U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalitions, and others who believe in cleaner, more energy efficient forms of transportation. These local events take place on a designated date every other year throughout the U.S.

About the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium is the only nationwide alternative fuel vehicle and advanced technology vehicle training organization in the U.S. The NAFTC’s mission is to provide the training infrastructure for implementing the widespread use of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles. The effort to increase our nation’s energy security, as well as to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is embodied in the NAFTC’s motto, “Because Clean Air and Energy Independence Matter.” Founded in 1992, the NAFTC consists of National Training Centers located nationwide from Maine to California. Each center provides Training with Impact through its experienced instructors and real-world shop facilities. Numerous other members from secondary schools, small businesses, government and industry also support the NAFTC’s mission. More than 1,100 courses have been conducted by the NAFTC, resulting in more than 16,500 trained technicians in AFVs and advanced technology vehicles.