Alternative Fuels Vehicle Technician

Also Called: AFV Technician

Job Description: Alternative Fuels is a hot new field, because the United States and other countries realize that they need to decrease their dependence on foreign oil. Therefore manufacturers are devoting great time and funds to the research and development of automobiles that run off alternative fuels. The AFV technician must be highly educated about power sources such as electric fuel cells, solar power, propane, and even the dehydrogenization of water. This particular field of automotive technology allows you to work with cutting-edge hybrid vehicles while working to reduce pollution and promote a healthier environment. More information concerning alternative fuels can be obtained from this site:
http://www.afdc.doe.gov/altfuels.html

Working Conditions: The working conditions will probably remain relatively similar to a normal automotive technician, which means 40 hour work weeks at a repair shop. Some of the tools required, however, will be different so the technician can attend to the intricacies of various non-petroleum-fueled power plants. The field is in such rapid development that no one knows exactly what alternative fuel will come to dominate the industry, but no one denies that alternative fuels represent the wave of the future.

Education and Training Requirements: In many areas of automotive technology, formal education is not absolutely required, although it is highly recommended. If you want to get into alternative fuels, however, postsecondary formal training is a must. Since the number of trade schools and colleges that offer AFV programs is relatively low, a student may choose to become certified as an automotive technician and take any alternative fuel courses available. After graduation, the technician may find a shorter length, advanced program that specializes in AFV. The rapid progress characterizing the field ensures that the number of AFV programs will continue to increase exponentially in the next few decades.

Salary Range:
Entry Level Pay: $25,000-35,000
Mid-Range Pay: $35,000-45,000
Experienced Pay: $45,000-55,000
Top Level Pay (Master Mechanic): $60,000-100,000

Job Outlook: Good to Excellent. Through the year 2010, employment in the automotive repair field is expected to increase about 10-20%, which is about as fast as the average.

Motor Trend Magazine offered this auspicious prediction about the future of the industry:

“Within the next decade or two, there's a good chance you'll be driving a vehicle powered by an advanced powerplant that's far removed from the familiar internal combustion engine now residing beneath your hood. Government regulation, environmental pressures, and market competition have spurred accelerated research and development into alternative fuels and the vehicles that run on them, creating a new twist in the motor vehicle's evolution.”

Training in alternative fuels can give you a head start on the next big leap in the automotive world.

Our featured schools do not specifically offer programs in alternative fuel technology, but you can find out more about a path to a related career by consulting programs listed below.

Featured School
Universal Technical Institute (Multiple Campus Locations) - Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Ford FACT Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Diesel/Industrial Technology, Automotive Technology w/SMOG (California Emissions), BWM FastTrack
Marine Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Marine Technician Specialist
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Phoenix) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville) - Automotive & NASCAR Technology, Automotive & Ford FACT Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II, Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

Online
Penn Foster Career School - Auto Body Repair Technician, Auto Detailer, Auto Repair Technician

Arizona
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Avondale) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ BMW FastTRACK, Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology w/Cummins
Arizona Automotive Institute (Glendale) - Automotive / Autotronics, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Automotive / Shop Management (AAS Degree), Automotive Technology
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Phoenix) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives

California
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Rancho Cucamonga, Sacramento) - Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology w/BMW FastTrack, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology
Wyotech (Fremont, Long Beach, West Sacramento) - Automotive technology, Chassis Fabrication and High Performance Engines, Collision/Refinishing Technology, Street Rod and Custom Fabrication, Trim and Upholstery

Colorado
Westwood College (Denver) - automotive technology
IntelliTec Colleges (Colorado Springs, Grand Junction) - automotive technician

Connecticut
Baran Institute of Technology (East Windsor) - autobody technician, automotive technician

Florida
ATI Career Training Center (Miami) - automotive service technician
ATI Career Training Center (Oakland Park) - automotive service technician
Marine Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Marine Technician Specialist
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (Orlando) - Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Harley-Davidson Electives, Motorcycle Technician Specialist w/ Sport Bike Electives
Wyotech (Daytona Beach) - BMW Motorcycle Mechanic, Ducati Motorcycle Mechanic, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Mechanic, Honda Motorcycle Mechanic, Kawasaki Motorcycle Mechanic, Marine Mechanics, Suzuki Motorcycle Mechanic, Yamaha Motorcycle Mechanic

Illinois
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Glendale Heights) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT or Toyota TPAT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT or Toyota TPAT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ International ITEP

Indiana

Maryland

Massachusetts
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Norwood) - Automotive Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Diesel / Industrial Technology

New Jersey

North Carolina
NASCAR Technical Institute (Mooresville) - Automotive & NASCAR Technology, Automotive & Ford FACT Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II, Automotive & NASCAR Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology w/ Pit Crew, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II

Pennsylvania
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Exton) - Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology, Diesel / Industrial Technology, Automotive / NASCAR / Ford FACT Technology, Automotive Technology w/ NASCAR Engines I & II + Pit Crew
New Castle School of Trades (Pulaski) automotive Technology
York Technical Institute (York) motorcycle technology

Tennessee
Nashville Auto-Diesel College (Nashville) auto body repair technology (diploma and Associate Degree), automotive and diesel technology (diploma and Associate Degree)

Texas
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) (Houston) - Automotive & Diesel Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel & Industrial Technology w/ Ford FACT, Automotive / Diesel and Industrial Technology, Automotive / Diesel Technology, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology, Collision Repair & Refinish Technology w/ Toyota TPAT, Diesel / Industrial Technology
ATI Career Training Center (Dallas) - automotive service technician
ATI Career Training Center (North Richland Hills) - automotive service technician

Virginia
Advanced Technology Institute (Virginia Beach) Automotive Technology I, Automotive/Diesel Technology, Ford Motor Co. MLR Training