CALSTART Announces Sustainability Track Of Sessions At NAFA's 2013 I&E

CALSTART, a member-supported organization of more than 140 firms, fleets, and agencies worldwide dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech, clean transportation industry, announced their 2013 I&E sessions designed specifically for NAFA membership. These sessions will feature their hand-picked speakers and experts who will focus on Advanced Fuels, Vehicles, and Strategies for Fleets – Making Sustainability Work.

During the 2013 I&E, CALSTART will host this specific education and training track featuring several value-added sessions for fleets looking at getting the latest information about advanced fuels and vehicles, and how to make them work for their operations.

The sessions will feature:

An up-to-the-minute status report on available high efficiency and alternative fuel vehicles and technologies to keep fleets current
A workshop highlighting and correcting the most common myths and misperceptions about advanced and alternative fuel vehicles
A session on how to decide what solutions work best for a fleet’s unique operation, including using decision tools like Fleet Value Calculators
A hands-on session about how to plan for a sustainable or green fleet, including case studies and making the case to the corner office

Advanced Fuels, Vehicles and Strategies for Fleets – Making Sustainability Work:

Session 1 - Alternative Fuels and High-Efficiency Vehicles – Update for Fleets (tentative: subject to rescheduling – Wednesday, April 24 10:15-11:45 am)
The landscape of alternative fuels and advanced vehicles is rapidly changing, capabilities are improving, and it is hard for fleets to keep up. This session will provide a valuable overview of the latest products available today, the technology emerging in the near term, and what these technologies and fuels can mean to fleet operations. This is a valuable session both for fleets just trying to get up to speed on this arena, and as an update for fleets already active but wanting to stay current.

Session 2 - Myths, Facts, and Misperceptions – The Straight Scoop on New Fuels and Tech (tentative: subject to rescheduling – Thursday, April 25 10- 11:30 am)
There is an old saying that goes, "it’s not always what we don’t know that can hurt us: it’s what we know that’s just plain wrong that is really crippling!" Nowhere is this more apt than when it comes to some of the myths and misperceptions around advanced vehicles, like hybrid and electric technologies, and fuels such as natural gas, propane, and others. How long does a battery last? What does it cost to replace? What costs more: a natural gas engine or its storage tanks? These are examples of some of the questions that can cripple your business case – and damage your decisions – if you operate from the wrong data.

Session 3 - Smart Alt Fuel and Tech Choice Workshop – Making it Work for You (tentative: subject to rescheduling – Thursday, April 25 3:30 – 5 pm)
As your fleet implements sustainability and fleet greening plans, how do you make the best choice of fuel or technology that fits your operation, geography, and vehicle mix? New tools are becoming available for fleets that allow you to assess performance and payback in your operation for the kinds of vehicles you use. This session will not only review these Value Calculators, but provide a hands-on training opportunity and an interactive workshop to share the additional functionality you need.

Session 4 - Fleet Sustainability/Greening – The Key Steps to Plan your Path (tentative: subject to rescheduling – Friday, April 26 9:30 – 10:45 am)
The hardest part of any trip is picking your direction and taking the first few steps, and this is doubly true of sustainability plans because of the potential cost and scrutiny. However, there are smart actions fleets can take that can put them on the right path and save them money & time. This hands-on session will outline key steps fleets can undertake to focus their strategic objectives, build a business plan that matches their fleet operation and vehicle needs, and make the pitch for investment that can win over the "corner office." The session will include case studies and a chance to start outlining your own fleet. This is a great session for fleets just starting the process, and for fleets farther along this presentation can be a solid benchmark for your activities.

For more information on CALSTART's track of sustainability sessions at NAFA's 2013 I&E, visit www.nafainstitute.org.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004