NAFTC members recently gathered for their fall business meeting held November 2-5, 2005, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN), an NAFTC member, hosted the meeting at its Cheyenne campus, showcasing its alternative fuels automotive program.

The meeting provided multiple learning activities, beginning with attending a full day of Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), the world's largest automotive show. Next, members were shown a skid-car exhibition on the CCSN campus and visited the City of Las Vegas's hydrogen production facility where members were thrilled with the opportunity to drive a hydrogen-powered Honda FCX.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., was SEMA's Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show while the 2006 Honda Civic Si was SEMA's Vehicle of the Show. The 2006 Civic Si features a 197-horsepower DOHC 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine, six-speed manual transmission, a limited slip differential, and a performance-oriented exhaust system.

The City of Las Vegas's hydrogen production facility is the world's first hydrogen energy station featuring the co-production of hydrogen fuel for vehicles and clean electric power using fuel cells. The $10.8 million project, located at the vehicle maintenance and operation service center, includes a fueling station capable of dispensing hydrogen, hydrogen-enriched natural gas, and compressed natural gas and consists of an onsite hydrogen generator, compressor, liquid and gaseous hydrogen storage tanks, dispensing systems, and a stationary fuel cell.

Paul Pate, CCSN member representative, gives NAFTC members an introductory course on safe driving before allowing them to take the skid-car for a SPIN!

Dan Hyde, City of Las Vegas Fleet and Transportation Services Manager and Clean Cities Coordinator, gave a brief presentation before taking the NAFTC members on a tour of the facility and providing an introduction to the Honda FCX hydrogen-powered fuel cell car.