Automotive EV Specialist

The courses in this certificate program are designed for technicians interested in the field of electric vehicles (EVs) in the transportation and equipment industry, and cover the general electrician skills needed to understand and diagnose modern EVs. Usage of the digital volt ohm meter (DVOM), inductive meter, megger meter, and oscilloscope are covered. Emphasis is placed on electrical fundamentals, symbols and circuit diagrams, high-voltage batteries, charging systems, heat pumps for cooling and heating, and LED lighting systems. Students learn the proper use of high voltage electrical diagnostic tools and equipment and how to perform vehicle electrical service and maintenance operations safely. Students also have the opportunity to perform minor repair work on hybrid and high voltage vehicles to complete required tasks. The completion of this certificate requires 75 hours of work experience in the electric automotive industry. 

Average 78 Completers 

The course covers the general electrician skills needed to understand and diagnose modern electric vehicles. Emphasis is placed on electrical fundamentals, symbols and circuit diagrams, high-voltage batteries, charging systems, heat pumps for cooling and heating, and LED lighting systems. 

Students learn the proper use of high voltage electrical diagnostic tools and equipment and how to safely perform vehicle electrical service and maintenance operations. Students also have the opportunity to perform minor repair work on hybrid and high voltage vehicles to complete required tasks.

The Automotive advisory committee has a broad spectrum of participants and is made up of representatives from municipal / public works, equipment sales and service, energy providers, local automotive service shops, and automobile manufacturers.

One primary partner, California Fuel-Cell partnership, states with the rapid growth of fuel stations in California (150 in the next 7 years), there will be a shortage of qualified technicians to install and service just these stations.

The Clean Transportation Committee in Sacramento which is working on the deployment of SB671 (heavy duty electrification statewide by 2030) states that a fast high voltage charging station needs to be every 250 miles o the state's main 6 corridors. Technicians are going to be needed now for installing and servicing these freight corridors.

The State of California has the most aggressive plan to have an infrastructure in place by 2030 to meet the needs of the automotive and truck manufacturers who are producing electric and Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles starting in 2014 to meet the N-79-20 standard. As stated in this standard all forms of freight handling are mandated to be either electric or hydrogen by the 2030 deadline.

The alternative Fuels program has secured a NSF  grant to support this technology.