ELECTRIC VEHICLE - SKILL DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE REPAIR DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING IN EV SEGMENT

‘The time is right for electric cars – in fact the time is crucial’ aptly stated by Carlos Ghosn, as the common man is facing severe challenges in affording the rates of petrol and diesel. Electric Vehicles are an overall advantage to the environment by reducing pollution, carbon emissions, global warming as well as being a secure, great reliable option to ever-increasing cost of petrol and diesel.

To create a city that is completely fueled by electric vehicles, we need a skilled staff as to go with design, assembly, manufacturing, production and repair. Electric Vehicles are more than just a novel way of mobility. They will bring out a major change in technology, digital and social aspects of transport in the world. Skill development in EV majorly involves understanding, learning and implementing the technology behind the same.

Some points that can be highlighted in EV Skill Development

1) Introduction to EV

2) Future of EV Industry

3) Government Policies for EV

4) Assembly practical

5) Application for subsidy, loan and licensing

6) Sources of materials, spares required to assemble and repair

7) EV Components

8) EV Foresight, servicing and maintenance

9) Identifying and solving problems in EV.

These points go into developing a skilled staff in handling and managing any electric vehicle that goes on the road smoothly without any sort of critical issues.

Training In EV Segment Involves

-Technology and Operations in EV Sector :-

This considers physics of energy, EV architecture, performance simulation of E-vehicles, propulsion system, and software for model based design.

- Battery Technology : -

Will involve imparting the knowledge about the chemistry of a battery and training to design integrated circuits using Electrical CAD tools.

- Powertrain – Design and simulation :-

Design of sustainable and clean powertrains, interrelations of transmission, electric motor, battery and controls. Different modelling methodologies including software in the Loop modelling, and EV simulators.

- EV Auxiliary Systems – design and simulation :-

Design of sustainable and clean powertrains, interrelations of transmission, electric motor, battery and controls. Different modelling methodologies including Software in the Loop modelling, and EV simulators.

- Advanced driver assistance System:-

ADAS and automated driving (AD) applications for safe human-machine interface, design of multiple sensors such as cameras and radars & sensor technologies like Image Signal Processors (ISP).

- Infotainment design and support : -

Design of integrated head-unit, heads-up display, high-end DSPs and GPUs, and Operating Systems, and integration of V2X connectivity solutions, telematics devices, smartphones, sensors.

- EV maintenance and support system : -

It includes maintenance and support of charging-device maintenance, battery capacity and usage monitoring, EV system diagnosis, and e-power train. Maintenance of charging point, interconnected charging infrastructure; guarantee of EVSE connectivity.

- Production – assembly and disassembly :-

Production is Assembly and disassembly of EV batteries, multi-material components, materials, production, and final assembly. Roll off assembly lines. Also includes manual assembly and disassembly for environmental policies and Vehicle dynamics.

- Charging Station – infrastructure and design : -

Basics of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, charging stations design, EV charger block diagram, technical & design guidelines, design of charging stations for urban settings, power module, site design, and charging station installation.

- Statutory Safety regulations : -

Includes potential hazards relating to EVs, charging infrastructure. Regulatory frameworks and safety guidelines for the design, specification, supply of EVs. Global Technical Regulation for EVs, ensuring high voltage electrical safety, and safety of electrical components.

- EV aesthetics : -

Involves EV concept design, layout, architecture, and vehicle prototypes, Balanced weight distribution, aerodynamics and appearance, Styling roof and bonnets. Combining design, aesthetics and quality.

- Service center requirements : -

Design and usage of EV service equipment and systems including electrical conductors, related equipment, software, and communications protocols. Study of other tools of electric charging and recharging points / stations.

All the above mentioned points will cater to the training in EV Segment.

Repair & Service

Furthermore, repairing and servicing is the second important area in EV. The key problem in repair is lack of charging stations and difficulty in using home electrical appliances for electricity supply to the EV batteries. Spare part availability and replacement from independent and reliable garages is another one. More companies should come up with stable, safe and adjustable power supply for use in process engineering systems.

Variable DC power supplies that will take care of charging the batteries are necessary for better performance. As consumers embrace the new EV technology to decrease the over-rising carbon fight, independent garages and dealerships need to be able to cater to needs of EV. It is vital that as we jump towards the greener planet, repair services must be available on a large scale for consumers.

A regular car has hundreds of parts which require regular maintenance and servicing whereas electric cars comparatively have fewer parts, hence only 50% maintenance is required indirectly being very cost effective. Amidst the cost effectiveness of fewer parts, a good regenerative braking system that saves electricity by putting unused electricity back into the battery, EVs require similar tyre maintenance as the regular petrol, diesel cars do. Nonetheless, EVs battery maintenance is less similar to the batteries of mobile phones and laptops, which ultimately gives EV batteries a hike over the others by assuring the consumers a battery guarantee of around 100000 miles.

Another key point to note here is the Electric Vehicle’s roadside breakage and assistance. Most EV manufacturers offer a roadside assistance package with the car or we can include it in our leasing package. Recovery services also now offer breakdown cover designed especially for electric cars, also equipping some the vans with mobile recharging points capable of topping up stranded EVs is also a solution. If assistance is needed in case consumer runs out of charge, it is not normally possible to get an EV moving again, so we cannot risk by trying to get a friend to tow it - leave it to the professionals. Even if the consumer is not a member, major breakdown services including the AA, RAC and Green Flag will come to rescue. Before help arrives, checking the EV handbook for any restrictions on towing is must to avoid any damage to the car's systems. While some EVs can be towed, as long as their drive wheels are kept off the ground, others can only be moved on a flat-bed truck. If you're not sure, insist on a flat-bed - it avoids the risk of major damage to your car.

Thus through proper alignment of all core strategies that go into making an impeccable Electric Vehicle, the world will get a bigger push on the greener side.

- written by Neha Shilamkar