Hydrogen Owes Its Production to Natural Gas
While hydrogen is gaining momentum as a clean energy source, many people in the transportation sector may not realize that natural gas is currently the largest source of its production. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and its recently released Annual Energy Outlook 2025 (AEO2025), steam methane reforming (SMR) using natural gas is projected to supply over 80% of the U.S. hydrogen market through 2050! Even with federal incentives like the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit, SMR remains the most accessible and scalable method of hydrogen production.
With this in mind, let’s talk about what this means for the industry, as well as the training requirements for those fleets that use hydrogen-powered vehicles — whether fuel cell or internal combustion.
The Growing Need for Hydrogen Training
Hydrogen vehicles are becoming more popular due to the range they can cover before having to refuel, as well as how quickly that refueling can be. These benefits are ideal for operators who are looking for low-emission, high-performance alternatives to diesel.
Yet this shift isn’t without one key challenge: hydrogen is a high-pressure, highly flammable fuel that requires a knowledgeable workforce to handle and store safely.
That’s why training is so important, and why AFVi plays a critical role in offering it to fleets and service dealerships. Technicians who work on and around hydrogen vehicles must know the appropriate inspection and safety procedures.
For those fleets that also utilize natural gas vehicles (NGVs), technicians may need additional cross-training to understand the differences between these two fuels, fuel systems, and vehicle engines.
Training Your Technicians
Whether you’re operating a municipal service, refuse fleet, long-haul freight, or a transit system, your team needs a comprehensive suite of online and in-person training courses that will prepare your drivers, technicians, and fleet managers for the realities of working with alternative fuels like hydrogen, CNG, and RNG.
1. Hydrogen Vehicle Training
Because of its high storage pressures and wide flammability range, training is essential for technicians and fleet operators currently operating (or even demonstrating) hydrogen vehicles. Critical subjects include fuel properties and characteristics of how it behaves, proper function of hydrogen fuel system components, leak prevention and detection, fire prevention, and how to perform annual inspections.
2. CNG Vehicle Training
Every employee working on or around CNG vehicles needs CNG Essentials and Safety Practices Training. In addition, technicians who service medium- and heavy-duty vehicles must be trained on how to perform safety checks, fuel system inspections, maintenance, and diagnostics. They should learn how to inspect fuel cylinders, pressure relief devices, valves, and fuel lines in accordance with FMVSS 304, NFPA 52, ANSI NGV 6.1, and CGA C-6.4. CNG fuel system inspector certification is crucial to measure and ensure proper qualifications for technicians performing inspections.
Benefits of Training
With the foreseeable future of clean transportation relying heavily on hydrogen derived from natural gas, it’s clear that training on both fuels is essential for vehicle personnel and performance.
Fleets that proactively educate their technicians will be better positioned to maintain compliance with vehicle codes and standards, avoid costly service errors, and avoid serious safety concerns. Knowledgeable technicians will also help fleets navigate the evolving regulatory landscape with confidence.
AFVi’s Commitment to Workforce Safety
As the only ASE-accredited training provider in the alternative fuels industry, AFVi is committed to helping fleets future-proof their operations. We deliver training that takes into consideration the most recent industry standards, requirements, and safety protocols for vehicle operations and security.
Our courses are:
- Developed by subject matter experts in CNG and hydrogen fuel systems.
- Aligned with relevant codes and standards established by FMVSS, NFPA, ANSI, SAE, OSHA, and others.
- Available in multiple learning formats, including live online, live in-person, and on-demand e-learning.
Whether your fleet is exploring hydrogen for the first time or expanding a well-established CNG program, AFVi provides the education (and available certification) to move forward safely and efficiently.
Empowering Fleets With Hydrogen Training
Natural gas is the foundation on which hydrogen growth depends. That growth can’t happen without a competent workforce, and AFVi is here to make sure that your team is ready.
From CNG fuel system inspections to hydrogen safety, our training programs empower technicians with the tools they need to keep alternative fuel vehicles working for the long haul.
Learn more about our training programs and take the next steps toward a cleaner, safer, more sustainable fleet.
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
