From transit agencies and school districts to utilities, municipalities, and commercial fleets, technicians are increasingly being asked to inspect, maintain, and service fuel-cell and battery-electric vehicles—even when their work does not involve the high-voltage electrical system. Routine tasks such as tire and brake service, fluid changes, inspections, and other mechanical maintenance can still place technicians on or around vehicles containing high-voltage components and stored electrical energy.
Yet many organizations lack a standardized foundation for preparing these technicians to recognize EV electrical hazards, work safely within the boundaries of their role, and understand when work must stop and personnel with a higher level of electrical qualification are required.
To address this need, AFVi has developed EV 101: Electric Vehicle High-Voltage Safety Awareness. Designed specifically for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle environments, this course provides foundational high-voltage safety knowledge for technicians who perform routine maintenance and other non-high-voltage work on electric vehicles.
EV 101 emphasizes hazard recognition, safe work boundaries, regulatory awareness, and the decision-making skills needed for accident prevention. Participants learn how to identify commercial electric vehicles, recognize high-voltage components and warning labels, understand the risks associated with stranded energy and thermal runaway, interpret common safety standards, and recognize when specialized personnel and procedures are required before work can continue.
The curriculum aligns with the ASE Electric Vehicle High-Voltage Electrical Safety Standards for Level ONE – Electrically Aware Persons, providing organizations with a practical framework for preparing technicians to work safely on or around electric vehicles.
“Technicians don’t have to be performing high-voltage electrical work to encounter high-voltage hazards,” said AFVi CEO Annalloyd Thomason. “A technician may be changing fluids, servicing brakes or replacing tires, but the vehicle they are working on still contains a high-voltage electrical system. Level ONE training gives them the knowledge to recognize hazards, understand the boundaries of the work they can safely perform, and know when to stop what they’re doing and involve qualified personnel.”
While technicians performing routine maintenance and non-high-voltage service are the primary audience for EV 101, Level ONE training is also appropriate for other personnel whose responsibilities place them on or around commercial electric vehicles, including:
- Shop supervisors and maintenance managers
- Fleet drivers and vehicle operators
- Service advisors and other service department personnel
- Wash and detailing personnel
- Safety and facilities personnel responsible for EV operations, charging areas, or vehicle movement
Training is currently available in two delivery formats—live in-person and on-demand e-learning—so organizations can incorporate Level ONE high-voltage safety training into their existing technician and workforce development programs without the need for extensive scheduling or travel.
Those interested in learning more about EV 101: Electric Vehicle High-Voltage Safety Awareness can review the complete course information or contact AFVi directly with any questions.
