Career Spotlight: Alternate Fuels Technician

Think that environmental conservation is just a trend? Think again. Environmental interest is here to stay, with individuals becoming more and more concerned about the state of the planet. But how does this concern relate to the automotive industry where cars are king?

One career that is becoming more relevant with the changing automotive industry and the increase in alternative fuel vehicles that use biodiesel, ethanol, electric or other natural sources of alternative fuel, is the Alternate Fuels Technician. This specialization is an excellent option for those who are interested in automotive careers, though would like a greater challenge in their expertise and would like to further specialize their knowledge as an auto mechanic.

What is an Alternative Fuels Technician?

First off, though you may be taking courses in auto technician training, this doesn’t mean that you’re necessarily familiar with all of the opportunities available in alternative fuels. To become an Alternative Fuels Technician means performing all of the standard maintenance on vehicles, such as oil changes, fuel and air filter changes, tire rotations, engine tune-ups, as well as using diagnostic equipment to test vehicle components. However, this is where the similarities end. The Alternative Fuels Technician that performs routine maintenance tasks should also be knowledgeable enough to know the difference between the types of fuel and alternative vehicles available.

Electric Vehicles

Within the alternative field technician field there is the possibility to even further specialize by working on electric vehicles. Those who pursue this area will need to have extensive knowledge of lithium-ion or nickel-metal hybrid batteries as well as the expertise to know how the automotive systems that use those types of batteries interact. With the popularity of vehicles such as the Tesla electric car increasing, having competitive career skills with a specialization that is becoming more in demand will put you ahead of the curve.

Hybrid Vehicles

The hybrid vehicle is the next big deal within the alternative fuels industry. Particularly with the popularity of hybrid vehicles such as the Prius, this field will be particularly in demand. With the move towards cleaner air emissions standards as well as government tax incentives, Hybrid vehicles look like they’re here to stay. Specializing in this growing area means having extensive knowledge about the more complex engines that hybrid vehicles have. It also means having electric expertise in addition to being familiar with hydraulic systems.

Over the next decade there will likely be major changes within the automotive industry, particularly with increasing governmental and individual interest in environmental conservation and greater awareness of alternative fuels. The industry will evolve to meet rising consumer need, creating new innovations and an even greater demand for Alternative Fuels Technician specialists.

Check out this video about hybrids and alternative fuel innovations!