Electric vehicles (EVs) are favored for their high performance, efficiency, and reliability – but they’re also notoriously harder to service. Part of this reputation is due to the lack of technicians trained in electric and hybrid auto repair. NYADI The College of Transportation Technology is an auto technology college that trains students in both traditional and electric vehicles. Here, we discuss the challenges of EV repair and why training in electric systems is invaluable for future vehicle technicians and mechanics.

The Rise of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Though electric vehicles have been around for as long as gasoline, recent innovations have led to a massive leap forward in efficiency and performance. Manufacturers rapidly gained customers as a result. More and more drivers are making the switch to either fully electric or hybrid, citing the following benefits of electricity in transportation:

• Fuel costs: While EVs are often more expensive at the dealership, fueling them is cheaper than gas. Over the vehicle’s lifespan, this difference means substantial savings.
• Maintenance: EVs are also easier to maintain. They don’t require oil changes, new spark plugs, or air filters, and they have fewer moving parts capable of breaking down.
• Emissions: Because EVs don’t burn fuel, they produce virtually no emissions. This makes them appealing to owners who try to minimize their environmental impact.
• Rebates: Many districts and electricity facilities offer rebates to lease or purchase electric cars, alongside monetary incentives to install home charging stations.
• Performance: EVs are known for their excellent handling. With their low centers of gravity and their quick acceleration, these cars are high-performing and fun to operate.

Hybrid vehicles, which combine electricity and gasoline, offer similar advantages while reducing some of the known drawbacks of full electricity. This makes hybrid a favorite option, as well.

What This Means for Auto Repair

As many benefits as EVs offer, they also invite unique challenges. Their systems are very different from those found in gasoline or diesel vehicles, requiring specialized techniques. Technicians only trained in fuel-burning engines are ill-equipped to service an electric car. Even hybrid cars can’t be treated like pure gasoline when in the shop, whether for routine maintenance or collision repair.

Future technicians who wish to service EVs must train specifically in EV repair and maintenance. The special training will prepare them to work with the special challenges presented by electronic vehicles, including topics such as:

• Battery degradation and charging problems
• Software and firmware updates
• High-voltage safety
• Specialized diagnostics
• Electric waste handling and disposal
• Different maintenance routines

Training programs address hybrid vehicle repair, too. Because hybrid cars feature both electric and gasoline systems, they present some of the challenges of each – requiring a unified approach to service safely and effectively.

The Importance of Learning Hybrid Auto Repair

As EVs gain in popularity, training in EV repair is increasingly important. Technicians who are educated only in gasoline will lose out on electric car customers. Auto repair shops prioritize hiring employees capable of servicing both types of vehicles. Even independent mechanics may find themselves falling behind the competition as their limited skills limit the customers they can accept.

In response to this shift, future technicians should seek training programs that cover both types of engine. NYADI delivers a range of training programs, including an automotive technology degree, automotive service technology certificate, and collision repair technology certificate. All programs cover the latest innovations in automotive repair and maintenance, including electric vehicles. Through our programs, students can prepare for a full range of customers and cars – not just gasoline.

Train in EV Repair Today

If you live in or near Jamaica, New York, and are interested in hybrid auto repair, consider enrolling at NYADI. We support students at every step, from earning their GED to certificate training and assisting with career placement. We also provide one-on-one tutoring based on your learning needs, giving students the tools they need for success in their chosen industry. Contact an admissions representative today to learn more about enrollment or to discover financial aid options if you qualify.