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NAFA's New England Chapter will co-host the fifth annual AltWheels Fleet Day on Monday, October 5. The event, held at Staples World Headquarters in Framingham, MA, is touted to be the largest display of alternative fleet vehicles on the East Coast. More than 35 vehicles ranging from hybrid cars, hybrid trucks and buses, plug-ins, hydrogen/fuel-cell, bio-fuels (ethanol, biodiesel), propane, CNG, pure electrics, and vehicles featuring idle reduction and other energy saving technologies will be on hand.
"It is an opportunity for fleet managers to get up to speed on the latest alternative wheels technology and also hear from fleet managers who are in the forefront of alternative fuels, vehicles, and trucks," explained Karen Doyon, CAFM, the Chair of NAFA's New England Chapter.
Vehicles on display include MIT EV's, Porsche 914 converted into a battery electric vehicle (BEV) using lithium-ion batteries; El Dorado's CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) E-Z Rider II 35' long low-floor transit bus; Penske-Hybrid diesel/electric 4x2 24' Straight Box Truck; Mercedes-Benz 2010 S400 Luxury Hybrid, the first production vehicle to utilize Lithium-Ion battery technology; General Motors' Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell all-electric vehicle running on GM's fourth generation hydrogen fuel cell system; Ford Plug-In Escape PHEV Hybrid; Tri State Truck Center's Freightliner Class 7 diesel/electric truck; Eaton-Class 6 Hybrid Utility Bucket Truck; and more than 30 others including major concept and commercially available vehicles.
In addition to having a table at the event, NAFA Members contribute largely to the day's educational topics.
• Steve Russell will be on the panel "Real World Alternative Fleet Experience: What Have Fleets Done, Best Tips For Saving Dollars, Fuel, and Headaches", moderated by Jerry Albertini.
• Fred Davies and Steve Russell will participate in the Municipal/Utility/University Fleets panel discussion of ways to monitor and improve fleet efficiency, including idle reduction techniques, wheel and tire technologies, driver training, incentive programs, and more.
• Steve Russell will also be one on the panel for "Alternative Fuels, Fuel Additives and Fuel Saving Devices", which takes a look at which fuels are gaining traction, cost efficient procurement, infrastructure requirements, and do it you yourself installation options, plus new state mandates.
All total, AltWheels Fleet Day features more than 40 nationally renowned leaders on the cutting edge of fleet technologies, industry experts, and representatives from some of the biggest names in the field. Fleet managers, municipal and corporate, from 17 states are registered to attend.
"Corporate and municipal fleet managers from across the country are attending this year to see the broadest lineup of alternative vehicle technologies and experts we've ever had," said Alison Sander, Founder of AltWheels. "The opportunities for saving fuel and money are increasing almost daily, and we've got the best options and the industry leaders showing how to make it happen."
Five years ago, when AltWheels Fleet Day was first held, many attendees were skeptical that viable alternatives might exist. With a dramatic rise in the cost of fuel, tightened budgets, and a greater focus on environmental responsibility, almost one-third of attendees say they have already incorporated some alternative energy efficiency measures into their fleet. Fleet Day will be highlighting many of the best practices already in use and display many new alternatives available.
"As co-host, we encourage our members to attend this event to understand the latest trends in alternative fuels and vehicles," added Doyon.
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association (nafa.org) is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA's Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
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