The only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable electric vehicles in serial production is based right here in the Bay Area. The only auto assembly plant in California is right here in the East Bay. Tesla Motors is the company and two of its representatives recently visited the Hybrid Auto Technology class at Chabot College in Hayward. Students were thrilled to inspect Tesla’s $109,000 Roadster and get rides in the super-fast sports car – it accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions.
The Tesla representatives spoke to the students about battery electric technology and demonstrated diagnostic tools for the roadster.
“Tesla visited to support the new Hybrid Vehicle courses here at Chabot and convey the importance to our students to become capable and competent in these new technologies,” said Instructor Kurt Shadbolt.
This current spring semester, Chabot College introduced a new eight-week Hybrid Vehicle Operation and Servicing course—making the college an area educational leader offering the latest technology for the newest hybrid cars.
Student Theron Reyes, who is in the Chabot College Hybrid Auto class said, "I am learning a lot at Chabot - I really like the auto program."
Shadbolt explained that one of the most critical considerations in hybrid car repair is safety. “Working on high voltage systems--many are over 200 volts--potentially can be deadly,” he said. He noted that unique to hybrid car repair are the electric drive systems that are part of the "hybrid drive,” batteries, electric motors, and electronic controls.
Students in the program are looking at job opportunities such as automotive technician, parts counter person, and service writer. Students also take classes to understand and repair their own vehicles.
Chabot College, in partnership with City College of San Francisco, was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy grant to fund seminars and support the college’s efforts to develop hybrid vehicle curriculum for community colleges, high school and ROP programs, and the automotive industry.
The Hybrid Vehicle course is one of many in the college’s automotive technology program, which is a NATEF Certified program that provides training and skills to diagnose and repair today’s vehicles. Students learn basic theory of operation, followed by hands on experience in a state-of-the-art repair facility with current industry grade equipment. Students train side by side with apprentices from local car dealerships that partner with Chabot College to train their apprentices.
Based in Palo Alto, Tesla Motors designs and manufactures electric vehicles (EVs) and EV powertrain components. Tesla has delivered more than 1,500 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Last year, the company partnered with Toyota to manufacture low emission and zero emission vehicles cars at the former NUMMI car factory in Fremont. The companies will build Tesla’s all-electric Model S sedan at the factory, creating more than 1,000 new jobs. Priced at $50,000, the Model S will be the first electric premium sedan designed from the ground up to take full advantage of the electric vehicle architecture.
Once it reaches full production at the NUMMI plant, Tesla expects to produce 20,000 electric vehicles each year. Tesla expects that in the long term the partnership could create 10,000 jobs, half from Tesla and half from our suppliers. Currently, Tesla has more than 500 employees.
For more information on Chabot’s hybrid vehicle course and automotive program, visit www.chabotcollege.edu/auto.