Support of Electric Vehicles and Charging Facilities (2)
Editor’s Note: This series are selected from manual Electric Vehicle Community Market Launch Manual: A Guide to Prepare Your Community for Electric Vehicles which was prepared by the Electric Transportation Coalition (ETC) and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas (EVAA) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Just as with today’s vehicles,OEM automakers will provide the same level of service for EVs as they currently offer for internal-combustion-engine vehicles through selected certifieddealers. However,many fleets may decide to service EVs in-house. Repairs of some EV components—such as brakes and tires—willbe routine.However, technicians atdealerships
and in fleets will require training and qualification to effectively repair systems and components that are specific to EVs. The following case studies discuss EV training,service, and warranty issues:
Virginia Power
Like many fleet operators, VP employs OEM factory-trained mechanics to service its fleet vehicles. To address the need for specialized EV expertise, VP has developed a training program for their mechanics and is offering the program to its customers.
OEM factory training is likely to supplant this training as OEM-produced EVs become available. Meanwhile, VP’s training has been well received. The experience with EV troubleshooting has enhanced mechanics’ proficiency not only to support EVs, but in dealing with the increasing number of electronic systems found in internal-combustionengine vehicles.
Ford Ecostar Customer Service Program
Ford has been conducting a demonstration of 103 Ecostar electric minivans in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, England, and Germany. Of the 103 vehicles, 66 are being leased and operated by 17 independent fleet customers.
To provide customer support, Ford developed a complete Parts and Service program that includedservicemanuals, owner’s guides, quick reference cards, vehicle operation videos, technician training, police and emergency personnel response training, special service toolsandequipment,a24-hourtechnical hotline, field service engineering support, and dedicated partswarehousing. Ford also established vehicle repair sites at nine selected Ford dealers and eight fleet customer repair sites. Selection criteria for the Ford dealers included location and the overall interest on the part of the dealer principal, service manager, and service technicians in becoming involved with leading edgeEVs.Aminimumof two technicians ateachfacilityreceivedspecialtraining, including 40 hours of dedicated EV service training, with emphasis on highvoltage safety. In early market launch years,when EVswill be available in low volumes, it is likely thatOEMrepair and service will be available only at selected dealerships.
Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) Program for the Converted Electric Rangers
Ford will offer Ranger ‘‘gliders’’—factory-built pickup trucks without engines, transmissions, or fuel systems—to converters who meet Ford’s stringent requirements for becoming an EVQVM.Thegoalof Ford’sEVQVMprogram is to improve product quality and facilitate the efforts of others in producing EVs converted fromFord products.
To become QVMs, candidates mustmeet minimum standards for quality, safety, and customer support. In addition, they must demonstrate quality manufacturing processes, durability and other testing capabilities, and compliance with FederalMotor vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and regulatory requirements for all systems or componentsadded, modified, or affectedbythe conversion.
The QVM specifies the engineering, design, testing,andpurchase ofuniqueEV components and converts the glider into acompleteEV.TheQVMisalsoresponsible for providing service support and warranty coverage to the customer for the unique and modified components. Ford will provide a new product limited warranty on Ford components, except for failure of Ford components caused by or attributed to themodification. Except for the traction battery, the QVM is required to have the same warranty for the converted EV Ranger as is provided for the standard Ranger.
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Electric Car Conversion Manual
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