The rapid increase in fuel prices and concerns for the environment and air quality have led many Americans to seek information about alternatives to gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum-based products. This introductory course is designed to provide basic information for the general public, the automotive technician, the employer, the fleet operator, and the instructor and will allow you to begin to understand the nature and extent of the problems as well as some viable solutions that are currently available or in development.
This course will enable you to:
- Explain the environmental impact of pollution caused by motor vehicles
- Describe the consequences of U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil
- Recognize the efforts to legislate air quality at the federal, state, and local levels
- Define the term “alternative fuel”
- Discuss the sources, uses, advantages, and disadvantages of propane, natural gas, ethanol, methanol, synthetic fuels, biodiesel, battery-powered electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and fuel cells
- State what actions must be taken in order to work toward clean air and energy independence.
Topics To Be Studied
Module 1: Why Do We Need Alternative Fuels?
Module 2: Laws, Regulations, Programs & Incentives
Module 3: Propane Vehicles
Module 4: Natural Gas Vehicles
Module 5: Ethanol, Methanol, and Synthetic Fuels
Module 6: Biodiesel
Module 7: Battery-Powered Electric Vehicles
Module 8: Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Module 9: Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles
Module 10: Fuel Cells
Module 11: What Is Next?
