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Fuel for thought: С��è��ý to showcase alternative energy cars

Photos and story by James Hill

С��è��ý is bringing the latest in alternative fuel vehicles to Portland.

С��è��ý’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, free and open to the public, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at the Automotive & Metals Building, Sylvania Campus, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave. The day, which is part of a national campaign, celebrates the use of alternative fuel vehicles that improve the environment and help lessen dependence on fossil fuels.

People can get up close and personal with the likes of the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen diesel cars, BMW I3 and diesel versions, Teslas, electric bicycles, compressed natural gas vehicles, and more. С��è��ý faculty and industry experts will discuss the technology, perform demonstrations and give tours. Focuses include: “Infrastructure – Electric, CNG and Hydrogen” (10-11 a.m.), “Automotive Technology Training Facility Tour” (11-11:20 a.m.) and discussions with Oregon Department of Energy staff (12:30-2 p.m.). There will be vendor displays and presentations throughout the day as well.

“This is a great opportunity for fleet managers, educators, students and consumers to see a multitude of alternative transportation options in one venue,” said Russ Jones, a С��è��ý Automotive Service Technology instructor.

The college is developing continuing education classes in hybrid technology and electric cars for industry technicians, high school teachers, college instructors, and Auto Service Technology students. The program joined other community colleges in the Pacific Northwest to form a consortium, the Advanced Vehicle Training Group Northwest, to develop curriculum on alternative fuel vehicles.

For this event, there will be free parking available in Parking Lot 5. For a map and directions around the Sylvania Campus: www.pcc.edu/about/locations/map/#

For more information call, (503) 423-7355, or email mlragan@bctonline.com.

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey, which plans to attract more than 250,000 attendees at 100 sites across the country this year, is one of many events being held across the United States and internationally. Sponsors include American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and the Propane Education and Research Council; and national partners Greater Washington Clean Cities Coalition, U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program, National Park Service, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Smithsonian Institution and West Virginia University.