Prime Highlights:
- Trine University has introduced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Trainer Cartto provide students with hands-on experience studying real EV powertrain components, preparing them for careers in the growing electric transportation industry.
- The system was developed by Mark Weller and manufactured by EVWest, giving students access to authentic EV technology used in real-world vehicle conversions.
Key Facts:
- The EV Trainer Cart contains all essential EV powertrain componentsneeded to convert a traditional vehicle into an electric model, offering students a practical and complete learning experience.
- Faculty from multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, and aerospace, have been trainedto teach using the system, ensuring cross-departmental integration in EV education.
Background
Trine University has implemented new technology to enable students to study the future of transportation. The Angola-based university recently purchased an Electric Vehicle (EV) Trainer Cart, a fully operational training system that allows students to study EV components in a hands-on environment.
The equipment was developed by longtime automotive instructor Mark Weller and manufactured by California-based EVWest, a company known for converting traditional gas-powered vehicles to electric. Weller created the cart to meet the rising demand for tools that simplify the teaching of EV drivetrains using real parts.
According to the university, students from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and robotics programs are expected to benefit most from the new setup. The cart includes all the powertrain components needed to convert a vehicle into an electric model, giving students practical exposure to a fast-growing field.
Weller visited Trine in mid-September to train faculty members and meet with an automotive electronics class. “Students were enlightened about some of the engineering opportunities with EVs as this segment of transportation continues to grow,” he said in a statement.
Faculty members trained on the system included John Liu, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Joe Thompson, laboratory manager and instructor; and Andrea Mitofsky, professor of electrical and computer engineering. Mitofsky noted that the setup provides students with a complete learning environment to understand EV technology.
With the EV Trainer Cart now in place, Trine University is helping students get ready for careers in a fast-growing industry. This initiative shows that the university works to give students skills that match today’s job market.
