More than 50 cities have signed on to celebrate and spread the word about the growing number of options to pure gasoline-powered vehicles available to consumers today.

The National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium (NAFTC) at West Virginia University announced National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey to be held April 2, 2004. More than 50 cities have signed on to celebrate and spread the word about the growing number of options to pure gasoline-powered vehicles available to consumers today.

The NAFTC and its partners are planning activities that will include "ride and drive" demonstrations of vehicles from Toyota, Honda and GM, as well as presentations on the many alternative fuels available and the technology that make them a smart transportation choice.

"AFVs are not one-size-fits-all. So every Odyssey site is developing its own activities that make sense for its locale," said Al Ebron NAFTC Executive Director. "The message will remain the same�AFVs are one solution for meeting America's growing energy needs for transportation. On April 2, 2004, every Odyssey site will be doing its share to create a new and better vision for America�a cleaner, environmentally conscious America that relies on its own energy resources."

National AFV Day Odyssey is the spark of an idea that ignited a vision for America, said Meg Baughman, co-coordinator of National AFV Day Odyssey. "Odyssey is designed to let consumers see the trends in AFV technology, meet the experts in the alternative fuels industry, explore ownership opportunities, find out about tax credits for AFV purchases, and discover AFV training and job opportunities," added Baughman. "Our inaugural event in 2002 showed us that we weren't just preaching to the choir."

Baughman reported of those surveyed during the 2002 Odyssey that nearly 90 percent said they would test-drive an AFV before purchasing their next car. "Prior to Odyssey, our survey shows that only half that number would have test-driven an AFV," said Baughman.

For more information about local Odyssey events, contact the Odyssey manager at Odyssey2004@mail.wvu.edu or visit www.NationalAFVDayOdyssey.org on the web.