Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming the dominate choice for operators, offering many benefits such as lower emissions, fuel savings and performance in line with the environmental requirements set by the government.

However, EVs pose new challenges and risks for the automotive industry, especially for the technicians who work on them. Employers hold a duty of care under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to ensure their Employees are competent to work on electrical systems in electric and hybrid vehicles. Therefore, electric vehicle workshop training, is essential for ensuring the safety of workers, customers, and the environment.

EVs have different components, systems, and technologies than conventional vehicles don’t have, such as high-voltage Systems, electric motors, power electronics, and charging stations. These require specific knowledge, skills & tools to operate, maintain, and repair safely and effectively.  

The Benefits of Electric Vehicle Workshop Training

• Enhances the competence, safety and confidence of technicians, allowing them to perform their tasks more efficiently whilst avoiding costly mistakes and accidents.
  
  
• Improves the reputation and competitiveness of the workshop, demonstrating the commitment to safety, quality and innovation, attracting more customers and business opportunities.
  
  
• Supports the transition to a low-carbon economy by reducing the environmental impact of the transportation sector, promoting the adoption of clean and sustainable mobility solutions.
  
  
• Meeting Employer duties of care under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

The Key Elements of Electric Vehicle Workshop Training

EV workshop training key elements:

• Awareness about safety requirements and policies: Technicians should be aware of the workplace safety, policies and regulations that govern their industry and company. They should be familiar with the common hazards and risks associated with EVs, such as electric shocks, fires, explosions, and chemical spills, and how to prevent and respond to them with the appropriate tools (ie rescue hooks, rubber mats).
  
  
• Accountability and responsibility: Technicians should be accountable and responsible for their actions and decisions, always following the safety protocols and procedures. They should report any incidents, near misses or unsafe conditions, cooperating with the investigation and corrective actions.
  
  
• Electrical and electronic principles: Technicians should understand the basic electronic principles and concepts, such as voltage, current, resistance, power, circuits, components, and how they apply to EVs. They should be able to use the appropriate tools and equipment, such as multi-meters, oscilloscopes, and insulation testers, to measure and test the electrical and electronic systems and components of EVs.
  
  
• Electric vehicle technology: Technicians should know the different types of EVs, such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and how they differ from conventional vehicles. They should be able to identify and describe the main components and systems of EVs, such as batteries, motors, inverters, converters, chargers, and controllers, explaining how they work together to provide power and performance.
  
  
• Charging and battery management: Technicians should know the different types and methods of charging EVs. From AC/DC charging, slow and fast charging to wireless and smart charging, technicians should know how to operate and maintain the charging stations and equipment. They should know how to monitor and manage the battery state of charge, health, temperature, and how to diagnose and troubleshoot battery issues or faults.
  
  
• Motors and control systems: Technicians should know the different types and characteristics of electric motors used in EVs and how to control their speed, torque, and direction. They should know how to diagnose and troubleshoot any motor issues or faults, and how to repair and replace the motor and its components.
  
  
• Maintenance, repairs, and replacement: Technicians should know how to perform the routine maintenance and service of EVs, above and beyond those of the usual mechanical elements such as checking and topping up the fluids, inspecting and adjusting the brakes and replacing the filters and wipers. They should know how to perform the more complex and specialized repairs and replacement of EVs such as safe decommissioning and recommissioning of electric vehicles and replacement of the battery pack.

The Conclusion

Electric vehicle workshop training is essential for safety, as it can equip the technicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to work on EVs safely and effectively. Electric vehicle workshop training can provide many benefits for the automotive sector by enhancing the competence and confidence of workers, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty, improving the reputation and competitiveness of the workshop, and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. Therefore, electric vehicle workshop training should be a priority and a requirement for any workshop that deals with EVs.

The  Lloyd Morgan Group offers a range of accredited electric vehicle workshop training.