COVER STORY

THE EV REVOLUTION:

EXPLORING THE NEXT WAVE OF SERVICE AND REPAIR - PART THREE

The previous two parts in this series explored the growing reality of electric vehicles (EVs) and views from the industry on their development and potential impact on the industry. Of course, the automotive community’s ability to repair and/or service these advanced vehicles will only be as strong as the training that facilities and technicians receive. This month, we present some avenues that collision repair and mechanical service professionals can take to learn more.

With EVs becoming a growing interest and concern, I-CAR has stepped up to provide education and resources aimed to bring technicians up to speed. Below is a small sampling of the I-CAR EV-related courses currently available, with some developed and launched within the last handful of months:

Hybrid Vehicle Identification & Damage Analysis

This course explains the different types and parts of hybrid and electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicle identification and important safety procedures when inspecting electrified vehicles, including steps to disable a hybrid system and an overview of the cooling systems for a high-voltage battery, are also covered.

Introduction to Electric Vehicles

This course introduces the different types of EVs on the road today and identifies the unique parts of an EV and the purpose of those parts. Video is also included to highlight the steps for operating an EV for the first time.

Understanding High Voltage Safety

This is a course that explains the elements of electricity and the relationship between voltage, current and resistance with high-voltage systems. This course describes the effects of electricity on the body and lists the required PPE when working around high voltage.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Initial Inspection & Handling

This course discusses initial inspection and safety considerations for EVs upon arrival at a repair facility. Precautions and considerations for high-voltage batteries and systems and vehicle staging/handling of damaged vehicles are also covered.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Damage Analysis

This course reviews necessary safety precautions when working with EVs. It provides detail on an EV’s high-voltage components, safety precautions and relevant non-high-voltage parts.

Responding to the need for training in the EV arena, Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has developed a Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3) test designed to measure a technician’s knowledge of the skills needed to diagnose both high- and lowvoltage electrical/electronic problems (as well as other supporting system issues) on hybrid/electric vehicles. It is an extension of ASE’s Automobile Electrical/ Electronic Systems (A6) and Engine Performance (A8) tests and is available to students who have passed both the Automobile Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6) and Engine Performance (A8) tests.

With COVID-19 restrictions finally lifting, industry members interested in exploring EVs will soon have an opportunity to hit the road for this information – and all roads are leading to Las Vegas. Held November 2-4 at the Sands Expo Center & Caesars Forum, the 2021 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) will feature EV training opportunities via “Hybrid & EV High Voltage Systems” (presented by Guy Vesco at NAPA Autotech) on November 3 and “Selling and Servicing Hybrids & Battery Electric Vehicles” (presented by Rich Cregar of Automotive Training Authority (ATA) on November 4.

This November will also see the return of the SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Presented by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), this year’s OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is designed to influence attendees with content from innovators in automotive structural design and technology. This highly recommended event will feature distinctly different topics and discussions by companies and individuals with rich histories of producing sophisticated advancements in the automotive and collision repair fields. Not surprisingly, a special EV-related session for the Summit was being planned at press time.

Although it may be some time before EVs become the predominant form of transportation in Minnesota and beyond, AASP-MN shops would do well to stay ahead of the trend by pursuing as many training and educational opportunities as they possibly can. In an industry of constant change, forewarned is always forearmed.

Links: I-CAR: i-car.com ASE: ase.com AAPEX: aapexshow.com SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education: rde.scrs.com

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