Light-Duty Natural Gas Vehicles

Why NGV Training?

Natural gas is a "natural" as an alternative fuel to power automobiles! It burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, and the nationwide pipeline system makes it available in almost every community in the country. From the earliest days of the internal combusion engine, natural gas has been used as a clean-burning, efficient fuel.

The number of vehicles powered by natural gas is growing every year. Mandates such as the federal Energy Policy Act and the California Federal Pilot Program require most large fleets to include alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in ever-growing numbers. In addition, many consumers have chosen to buy and drive vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

All of this means that the demand for AFV technicians is increasing dramatically. The AFV technician needs to know everything that is currently applicable to servicing automobiles, along with new technology to deal with the gaseous fuel system, engine, electronics, and exhaust.

For an experienced technician, the greatest challenges when working with AFVs include the concepts of working with natural gas, changes in emission-control equipment, electronic ignition, diagnostics, and safety. Each chapter of the Technician’s Manual contains text, illustrations, explanatory figures and tables, chapter review questions, and job aids, along with classroom and/or shop activities.

Each corresponding chapter of the Instructor’s Manual contains everything in the Technician’s Manual, as well as a detailed daily agenda, teaching suggestions, group discussion topics, chapter review questions with answers, PowerPoint slides, and animated presentations.

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) is pleased to offer this new course, Light-Duty Natural Gas Vehicles, which meets the needs of the technician, the employer, the fleet operator, and the training institution.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the technician will be able to

• Explain the sources and processing of compressed and liquefied natural gas.
• Discuss the impact of dependence on foreign oil on the U.S. economy.
• Describe the sources and effects of environmental pollution.
• List the major alternative fuels currently or soon to be in use, and compare the benefits and drawbacks of each.
• List personal and shop safety procedures, and describe the appropriate responses to common emergencies such as fire, gas leakage, and collision.
• List the major policies and regulations pertaining to the installation, operation, and inspection of gaseous fuel vehicles.
• Use the concepts of pressure, density, and volume in describing, measuring, and handling natural gas.
• State the chemical and physical properties of methane (natural gas).
• List the primary emissions from automotive and transportation uses, and identify the sources and remedies for each.
• Describe the four-stroke Otto and diesel cycles, and explain how combustion is different with a gaseous fuel.
• Explain lean-burn technology and calculate the correct air-fuel ratio to achieve best power, lowest emissions, and greatest fuel economy.
• Describe the components of a natural gas fuel system and explain how each operates.
• Explain the operation of the Electronic Control Module (ECM) and the components that connect to it.
• Describe basic diagnostic techniques, the use of the Diagnostic Scan Tool (DST) and the meanings of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
• Identify the primary types of emissions testing and the equipment used to perform such tests.

In addition, there is a comprehensive Appendix containing detailed information about the conversion of gasoline vehicles to dedicated CNG or bifuel CNG/gasoline operation.

Materials Provided to the Technician

• Course Manual and job aids (charts, handbooks, checklist).
• Program certificate, continuing education units (CEUs), and uniform badges.

• Instructor's Manual including course agenda and planning notes.
• Technician's Course Manual and job aids (charts, handbooks, checklist).
• Program certificate, continuing education units (CEUs), and uniform badges.
• Training aids (overheads, videos, tests, etc.).

• Gain valuable knowledge from classroom instruction.
• Get "hands on" experience from laboratory activities.
• Learn practical skills in actual shop environments.

Classes are taught by certified instructors:

• At the NAFTC's Regional Training Centers around the country. Click here to see map.
• At the new National Alternative Fuels Training Laboratory in Morgantown, WV. Click here to view building.
• In customized classes brought to your doorstep, designed to meet your particular needs.

Schedule

• Current training schedules are updated regularly. Click here for details.

Participant Pricing

• Non-Member's Price: $725.00 US (manual included)

To register, Click Here!

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