Inside AFVi

Last fall, AFVi added webcasts to our lineup of education and information programs. Our inaugural webcast, "Transit Operations: The Natural Gas Vehicle Connection" was held on October 24. The nearly 300 participants were especially excited about the convenience of sitting in front of their computer in their office and learning everything they need to know about why transit agencies are and should be using natural gas.

One of the hottest topics of the day was incentives. Transit operators often do not understand—or cannot believe—that federal incentive money is available for tax exempt organizations (including transit agencies) that use specified alternative fuels. In fact, incentives are available both for vehicle purchase AND fuel use. But incentives are only effective if transit agencies actually apply for them. Therefore, it was important that AFVi use its newest educational tool — webcasts — to get the word out.

Participants in the 90-minute webcast received an overview of the vehicle and fueling incentives available to transit operators, a detailed summary of the natural gas bus/engine combinations available for purchase, and an overview of various fueling options available from the webcast sponsor, Clean Energy.

Another highly rated feature of the AFVi webcast was the ability to ask questions right from participants' computer. Transit operators and other participants had plenty of time to ask their questions-and get them answered!

If you missed the webcast, you can still access the rebroadcast at www.afvi.org/webcasts.html/

Our sponsor, Clean Energy, was particularly pleased with the sales results from the webcast. One company executive reported that their phones were "ringing off the hook" with potential customers immediately following the event.

AFVi is planning additional webcasts for the near future. Topics include: "School Bus Operations: The AFV Connection" and "Refuse Operations: The AFV Connection." If you have a webcast topic suggestion, or would like to talk with one of our team members about a future webcast, email us at customerservice@afvi.org.

Stay tuned to our website for more webcast and other AFVi educational program details... www.afvi.org