LAS VEGAS - Sept. 10, 2013 — Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi) is pleased to announce the launch of two new training courses: NGV Maintenance and Diagnostics Training: Heavy-Duty Vehicles and NGV Maintenance and Diagnostics Training: Light-Duty Vehicles.

Designed for technicians with at least basic skills in vehicle repair, these courses prepare technicians to perform maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Both courses include operational theory with hands-on exercises, use of Digital Multimeters (DMMs), scan tools and other diagnostic equipment, and prepare technicians for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) H1 and F1 exams.

The kick off class for NGV Maintenance and Diagnostics Training: Heavy-Duty Vehicles will be held October 29-31, 2013 in Dallas, Texas and registration for the class is now open.

NGV Maintenance and Diagnostics Training: Light-Duty Vehicles launches Feb. 25-27, 2014 in Las Vegas.

Details about both classes are available on the NGVi website at https://ngvi.com/training/.

“Both courses were designed according to the stringent requirements for ASE Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE) accreditation,” noted Annalloyd Thomason, vice president and general manager at NGVi.  She added, “Each course went through a rigorous beta test with technicians representing companies the caliber of Agility Fuel Systems, Encana, FedEx Freight, Frito-Lay/Pepsico, Landi-Renzo and Waste Management.”

The training was developed under the direction of master curriculum developer and NGVi Training Manager Paul Pate, who is a 20-plus year veteran of automotive instructional design and delivery.

While engine and vehicle manufacturers offer excellent training on their specific products, NGV technicians require comprehensive training that encompasses the entire fuel system if they are to properly maintain and diagnose these vehicles. “Because natural gas is under high pressure, already vaporized, and reacts differently in the environment, understanding the different approach needed when servicing these vehicles is crucial,” says Pate. He adds, “Risk and safety concerns can be minimized if the technician has a complete understanding of the operation of all of the components in the system—not just the engine.”

NGV Maintenance and Diagnostics Training: Heavy-Duty Vehicles is an intensive three-day course that covers all natural gas heavy-duty manufacturers’ systems, including CNG and LNG, with major emphasis on Cummins ISL G-equipped vehicles. NGV Maintenance and Diagnostics Training: Light-Duty Vehicles covers multiple natural gas light- and medium-duty manufacturers’ systems, including Altech-Eco, BAF, Honda, IMPCO, Landi Renzo, Dodge Ram and Westport LD.

“We are very excited to add these much-needed courses to our training mix,” said Thomason. “Fleets are starved for comprehensive NGV technician training evidenced by our backlog of major customers waiting for the launch.”

NGVi plans at least 12 of these courses to be offered publicly in 2014. In-house training is available for companies that need to train 15 or more employees.  

For more information, contact NGVi at 800-510-6484 or info@ngvi.com.

About NGVi

NGVi is North America’s leading provider of technical consulting and training on natural gas vehicles and fueling technologies. Established in 1989, NGVi has worked with hundreds of companies and government agencies throughout the U.S. and worldwide to help successfully integrate natural gas into their transportation mix. NGVi's training team is comprised of CSA and ASE certified instructors, each with more than 20 years' experience in technical consulting and training on natural gas vehicles and fueling. For more information, go to ngvi.com.