4-Steps to Mastering Hybrids & Electric Cars

ACDC Unit 1 Training: High Voltage Safety and Awareness Class

This-8 hours class is designed to make sure you are safe when working in or around any vehicle that has a high voltage system. In practical terms, that is 100 to 900 volts. At the end of class, you will take the ASE xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Certification Test online.
The ASE xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Certification (Level 1) is designed for anyone who may encounter an EV in the workplace and aims to ensure high-voltage electrical safety awareness to identify hazards and reduce risks. This class focuses on equipping individuals with the knowledge to recognize and mitigate risks associated with working around or with any electric vehicles (xEV) and their high-voltage components.
You will work with HEV, PHEV and EVs at class. If you are a technician you must have a high voltage Class 0 1000 HV glove kit. Bring your own of buy one at class. If you are a manager, they are not required.
Time will be spent in the shop making a HV system safe to work on.
Class size is 6 to 8 students for the fee shown per person. If it is 9-14 add $100 more as one more ACDC staff person is needed to assist in the classroom. From 15 to 20 add $200 more for the extra techs.
No extra fees per student if the class is held at ACDC.
All classes require PPE and one or more of our books. All classes come with handouts, a jump drive with extra materials, and a certificate.

ACDC Unit 2 Training: Review of Vehicle Electrical Systems

This 2-day class is designed to prepare you for 12-volt and HV systems, both DC and AC. We will start with 12-volt systems found in 99.9 % of all vehicles (Tesla Cyber Truck has a 48v system). If you are weak in electrical skills, these two days will get you up to speed quickly. We have designed a unique classroom that allows hands-on training. After lunch on day one you will be using PICO scopes and the second day you are trouble shooting real world bugs in our fleet of new and old cars. This class is limited seating and will get you ready for the next step.

ACDC Unit 3A Training (OPTION 1): HEV Introduction to Hybrid Vehicles

This three-day class will get you familiar with the components of Hybrid vehicles. ACDC level 1 and 2 are required (unless you have scope skills and have passed the ASE xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Test). You will have a working knowledge of the ICE, electric motors, inverters, DC-DC converters, regenerative brakes, heating and cooling, eCVTs, and HV battery packs. We will have hybrids from Toyota, Honda, Ford, Hyundai / Kia and VW in the shop. From preventive maintenance to minor repairs, you will have lot to learn. This class comes with 3 ACDC books, lunch, and a Certificate.

ACDC Unit 3B Training (OPTION 2): EV Introduction to Electric Vehicles

This three-day class will get you familiar with the components of pure EV vehicles. ACDC level 1 and 2 are required (unless you have scope skills and have passed the ASE xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Test). If you want to learn about PHEV you must have taken Level 3 HEV. You will have a working knowledge of electric motors, inverters, DC-DC converters, regenerative brakes, heat pumps, HV battery packs, grid charging, both 120 v and 220 v (Level1 -2) and the 3 types of DC fast charging; CHAdeMO, CCS, and NECS. We will have EVs from GM, Nissan. Hyundai/ Kia and Tesla in class. From preventive maintenance to minor repairs, you will have lot to study. This class comes with 3 ACDC books, lunch, and a Certificate.

ACDC Unit 4 Training:

This two-week class is our premier class. It is called “Up Your Voltage” and has been in existence since 2006.
It is divided into two weeks.
Week one is level 1 and 2 plus Hybrids for 5 days. Over 9 HEVs are in the with extra support from ACDC staff to get more in depth on the technology, plus 5 days of reading wiring diagrams, using HV test equipment and scopes. Using high and low current clamps to test and confirm your repairs.
Week Two is a deeper dive into inverters, DC-DC converters, Thermal management (Cabin Heating and Heat Pump), Grid charging and scoping the signals from the wall to the EV. HV battery packs used in EV, health reports on capacity lose, and more. If you want to learn the most you can about EV and PHEV this is your class. You will be in a well an equipped shop every day working EV, including Tesla. We do have a 3-day Tesla only class if you want to dig even deeper.

Updated 05/25/25