New Fayetteville Tech course trains next generation of electric vehicle techs. What to know.

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and Fayetteville Technical Community College is looking to train the next generation of EV mechanics.

The college on Hull Road has for years trained future mechanics in its classes on Automotive Systems Technology. The AST curriculum has now added a Hybrid-Electric Transportation course, according to a news release. Hybrid cars utilize both electric and gas engines.

“The trend in the industry is to have more and more electric vehicles and hybrids on the road,” said Brian Oldham, the AST department in the release. “And with more and more electric vehicles, students need to be familiar with these vehicles and how to service them.”

The move comes at a time when EVs now comprise 8.5% of new car sales — triple what they were two years ago, according to the website, Money.

Here are a few things to know about the FTCC EV mechanic program.

When is the course available?

FTCC offered the hybrid-electric course for the first time this summer; two classes of students have completed the 8-week course. It will be offered again next summer.

“I’ve been working on cars since I was 12 years old, and what I’m learning now with the electric vehicles is very complicated,” student Tiffany Bethea said, in the FTCC release. “The way the world is going now, there’s more electric, so this is for the newer generation.”

What does the course cover?

Students in the hybrid-electric course learn maintenance, diagnostics, repair and safety procedures for electric and hybrid vehicles, according to the release.

Students get a chance to work on a number of different models of fully electric and hybrid vehicles, the release states.

Safety is a priority in the class, said Oldham.

“The main focus of what we do is the safety aspect of working on electric vehicles,” he said in the release. “We teach vehicle depowering — basically making the vehicle safe to work on without being electrocuted.

"Whenever they’re doing a repair, we’ll teach them how to wear the proper PPE.”

What do students say about it?

Tyler Manion, one of the hybrid-EV instructors, said students have gone from apprehensive to appreciative, according to the release.

“Once they’ve gone through the class, they become more comfortable, going from almost no knowledge or physical contact with the vehicle to being hands-on,” Manion said. “Seeing how much technology is in these vehicles really impresses them.”

Nathan Entriken, a student, said in the release he liked the program because it is so hands-on.

“You actually get to practice what you are taught instead of here you go read the book, answer some questions, and continue on.”

Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Hybrid or electric? Fayetteville Tech class teaches repair for both