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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
APRN D067B
Course Title (CB02)
Plug-In Electric Vehicle Technology
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
Understanding the functions of plug-in electric vehicles and hybrid extended-range electric vehicles. Operating characteristics of high voltage onboard charging systems. charging stations, photovoltaic systems, and electrical grid charging. Operation of onboard smart charging systems. Economics of electric transportation, utility company systems, and existing options such as off-peak charging. Understanding the use of electric power as applicable to extended range electric vehicle transportation. Utilization of applicable diagnostic and service equipment. Electric vehicle theory of operation. Advantages of an electric drive train. Electric vehicle history and current status of plug-in electric vehicle technologies. Career possibilities in the electric transportation industry. Safety procedures and maintenance of plug-in electric vehicles.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is an apprenticeship course that is only offered to a target population of students who have been approved for the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program. This course was developed based on essential requirements for the fulfillment of NATEF (National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation) accreditation standards. Data from our advisory committee indicates a student must be prepared with an array of workplace skills as well as a unique blend of academic and technical skills.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.5
Maximum Credit Units
4.5

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.59.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
54.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
54.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
108.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
108.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Open only to apprentices in the Automotive Technologies Apprenticeship Program (an approved program by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards).)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Assignments

  1. Required reading from course syllabus and additional materials such as the ERG (Emergency Response Guide)
  2. Researching essential service information such as maintenance specifications, service procedures such as replenishing the hybrid cooling system and safety protocols such as deactivating high voltage systems
  3. Work sheets involving assessment of various service and safety related scenarios
  4. In class research assignments covering hypothetical service aspects such as recommend maintenance practices, safety procedures as documented in the ERG, or repair protocol.
  5. Multiple choice quizzes.
  6. A comprehensive and objective final examination.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Comprehensive multiple choice final exam that challenges a student’s knowledge of electronic propulsion functions, safety practices, service, maintenance, and the various types and components of plug-in propulsion systems. Exam questions include but are not limited to excerpts from syllabus, additional materials such as ERG reading assignments, various worksheets and research topics.
  2. A question based take home assignment evaluated for accuracy. A for the purpose of reinforcing the understanding of certain plug-in electric vehicle technology aspects such as safely deactivating a high voltage system, replenishing an inverter cooling system, or serving the continuously variable transmission.
  3. Weekly objective multiple choice and/or essay quizzes evaluated for accuracy, covering the weeks lecture units, assigned reading, and relative data obtained from assigned research and worksheets.
  4. Worksheets are evaluated for accuracy based on a point system.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Safety glasses for lab demonstrations
Essential College Facilities:
  • Classroom with access to automotive technology laboratory for demonstrations
  • Solar voltaic panel and charging station
  • Plug in electric vehicles for demonstration

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
TOYOTA HYBRID GENERAL SERVICE Course 256 Technician Handbook, © 2010 Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Revised March 12th, 2010.
Auto Staff '67B Plug-in Electrical Vehicle Technology 2018' °®¶¹´«Ã½ College, Cupertino, CA 95014

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
All DATA electronic information system (WEB based)
Mitchell on demand electronic information system (WEB based)
Handouts and worksheets as required

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Describe the safety aspects of servicing the plug in electric hybrid vehicle.
  • Describe electric vehicle theory of operation
  • Distinguish various types of plug in electric vehicles
  • Classify the different components used on hybrid extended range electric vehicles
  • Define the basic operation of plug in electric vehicle power electronics
  • Classify maintenance and charging protocol for a plug in electric vehicle
  • Explain high voltage charging systems
  • Define photo voltaic and grid based charging stations
  • Describe thermal management systems
  • Distinguish electronic chassis systems
  • Describe high voltage storage batteries

CSLOs

  • Demonstrates the ability to safely maintain and service a vehicle that uses a high voltage battery as a fuel source for the main propulsion.

Outline

  1. Describe the safety aspects of servicing the plug in electric hybrid vehicle.
    1. The applied use of safety protocols
    2. Recommended standards for the care and usage of high voltage gloves.
    3. Assessment of safety when preparing a vehicle for service operations
    4. Understanding safety procedures
      1. Accident prevention
      2. Warning labels
    5. Selecting appropriate high voltage service equipment
      1. CAT III meter ratings
      2. High voltage glove classification
      3. POE (polyester) based refrigerant lubrication systems
      4. Non synthetic clothing, PPE (personal protective equipment)
      5. Additional safety measures such as warning signs, orange cones
      6. ISO standards
      7. Emergency response guide (ERG)
    6. Deactivating a high voltage system
  2. Describe electric vehicle theory of operation
    1. High voltage storage batteries
    2. Kilowatts and kilowatt hours
    3. Electrical characteristics
    4. Power electronics
    5. Drive motor characteristics
    6. High speed data communication systems
  3. Distinguish various types of plug in electric vehicles
    1. Electric vehicles (EVs)
    2. Extended range electric vehicles (EREVs)
    3. Plug in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)
    4. Plug in conversion units
    5. Major variations in PHEV design
  4. Classify the different components used on hybrid extended range electric vehicles
    1. High voltage contactors
    2. Field Effect Transistors (FETs)
    3. Three phase inverters
    4. Drive motor battery chargers
    5. Electronically controlled powertrain systems
  5. Define the basic operation of plug in electric vehicle power electronics
    1. Boost converters
    2. Accessory power DC control module
    3. DC to DC converter
    4. Drive motor battery charger operation
    5. On board generators series parallel
    6. Powertrain systems
    7. Battery interface control modules
    8. Absorbed glass matt (AGM) batteries
  6. Classify maintenance and charging protocol for a plug in electric vehicle
    1. Research of required maintenance schedules
    2. Understanding use of proper tools for maintenance
    3. Selecting the correct products for maintenance
    4. Resetting factory maintenance interval reminder systems
      1. Condition based service systems (CBS)
      2. Oil life percentage displays
      3. Oil change reminder light
    5. Engine maintenance mode
    6. Fuel maintenance mode
    7. Purpose and usage of the service disconnect
    8. Jump starting procedures
  7. Explain high voltage charging systems
    1. Drive motor battery chargers
    2. Electric vehicle supply equipment
    3. 120V, 240V, and 440V charging stations
    4. Home based charging systems
    5. Cost factors related to utility rates
    6. Operation of photo voltaic systems
    7. Solar energy as an alternative
    8. Renewable energy sources for ground transportation
  8. Define photo voltaic and grid based charging stations
    1. Discuss the operation of a photovoltaic charging station
    2. Demonstrate the characteristics of the photovoltaic installation
    3. Recognize solar energy as a potential alternative
    4. Define the advantages of renewable energy sources as applied to ground transportation
  9. Describe thermal management systems
    1. Power electronics cooling
    2. Drive motor battery heating and cooling
    3. Accessory power DC module cooling
    4. Internal combustion engine cooling
    5. Integration of HVAC heating and cooling
    6. Coolant cooler systems
  10. Distinguish electronic chassis systems
    1. Electronic power steering
    2. Drive by wire systems
    3. HVAC systems
    4. Electronically controlled brake systems
    5. Stability control
    6. Electronic parking brakes
  11. Describe high voltage storage batteries
    1. Nickel-metal hydride
    2. Lithium Ion
    3. Battery heating systems
    4. Battery cooling systems
    5. Liquid to liquid heat exchanger
    6. Prismatic cell construction
    7. Battery cell grouping
    8. Nominal voltage
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