BC is leading the charge for electric vehicles.
The fastest-growing automotive segment in the 2020s is Electric Vehicles (EVs). Sales of zero-emission cars accounted for almost 10 per cent of all car sales in BC in 2020 — the highest electric vehicle uptake in North America — according to Bruce Ralston, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (Carrigg 2021). BC has more than 54,000 light-duty electric vehicles on the road and with multiple government rebates/incentives on new electric vehicles and charging installations, the number is growing steadily. To support this growing EV fleet, BC is building a robust EV infrastructure. This significant shift in vehicle powertrain configuration requires increased EV service and repair capacity through technician training. The BCIT School of Transportation is taking a leadership role in transportation sustainability. That’s why BCIT, together with the Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, developed this program for Automotive Technicians.
Building BC’s EV infrastructure
In 2019, BC launched the first pilot program for EV Maintenance Training at BCIT. This year, three new training centres have been added at Camosun College, Okanagan College and the College of New Caledonia, expanding the number of training opportunities for EV technicians and reaching more BC communities.
Each institution is offering an EV Maintenance Training program as a micro-credential to Red Seal automotive technicians. The program provides them with the training they need to work in this growing sector and help in the fight against climate change.
EV Maintenance Training Program
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Maintenance Training program is designed to provide Red Seal Automotive Technicians with the skills to diagnose and repair zero-emission vehicles. This course teaches operation service and maintenance of all EV systems and components. This will give consumers confidence that there is a skilled workforce trained to diagnosis and service the ever-growing EV market in BC.
EV TrainingThe Program
BCIT’s EV Maintenance Training Program is available to Red Seal Automotive Service Technicians as a flexible learning (36 hour) course. The course is designed to give graduates a broad understanding of EV maintenance including:
- Apply high voltage safety procedures
- Distinguish different categories of high voltage vehicles
- Service high voltage powertrain systems
- Service high voltage battery charging systems
- Compare high voltage vehicle transmission type
- Service high voltage vehicle temperature management systems
- Distinguish the maintenance procedures for high voltage vehicles
- Associate causes for common symptoms found in current high voltage vehicles
Red Seal automotive technicians interested in upgrading their skills in EV maintenance should check out the course details.