Exploring The Future of Electric Vehicles: Imagine What We Can Learn in 2023

Switch Vehicles - The Switch Lab EV education training

Exploring The Future Of Electric Vehicles: Imagine What We Can Learn In 2023

As we move further into the 21st century, the world is facing several challenges related to climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources. One technology that has garnered much attention in recent years is the electric vehicle (EV). While EVs are still a relatively small part of the overall automotive market, they are quickly gaining in popularity. They are seen as a key part of the solution to our environmental challenges.

EVs have the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change.

One of the biggest advantages of EVs is their potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Unlike traditional internal combustion engines, EVs are powered by batteries that can be charged using electricity from various sources, including renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. With the right infrastructure in place, EVs can help reduce our reliance on polluting fossil fuels and help combat climate change.

EVs can improve air quality and reduce air pollution in cities.

Another advantage of EVs is their potential to improve air quality. Because they produce no emissions, EVs can help reduce air pollution in cities, a major health concern. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for over 7 million deaths yearly, making it one of the leading causes worldwide. By reducing emissions, EVs can help improve air quality and save lives.

The cost of batteries is currently a major challenge for the widespread adoption of EVs.

Despite these advantages, there are still many challenges to overcome for EVs to become more widespread. One of the biggest challenges is the cost of batteries, which are currently one of the most expensive components of EVs. However, as battery technology continues to improve and costs come down, EVs are becoming more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers.

The lack of infrastructure to support EVs is also a challenge that needs to be overcome.

Another challenge is the need for infrastructure to support EVs. For EVs to be truly effective, we need to have a network of charging stations so that people can recharge their vehicles when they are on the go. While some charging stations are already in place, there is still a long way to go before we have the infrastructure needed to support widespread EV adoption.

We can expect continued growth in the EV market, battery technology improvements, and infrastructure development to support EVs.

Despite these challenges, the future of EVs looks bright. As battery technology improves and costs continue to come down, more and more people will be able to afford EVs. And as the infrastructure to support EVs continues to develop, we will see more electric vehicles on the road.

So what can we expect in 2023? It’s hard to say for sure, but if current trends continue, we expect to see continued growth in the Electric Vehicle market, with more and more people choosing EVs as their primary mode of transportation. We may also see improvements in battery technology, which could make EVs even more affordable and effective. And with the continued development of infrastructure to support EVs, we can expect to see more charging stations and other support systems in place to help make EV ownership even more convenient.

In short, the future of EVs looks bright, and there is a lot to be excited about. As we move into 2023 and beyond, we can expect continued growth and development in this exciting technology, and we can only imagine what we will learn and discover along the way.

Learn by gaining hands-on experience by building a Switch Vehicle in 2023.

Is this the year you’ll make a switch? We hope so. It’s time to stop feeding fossil fuel companies and to begin an age of renewable energy in our commutes. These vehicles have great potential to take us into the 2030s with grace and substantial fuel savings. This new technology isn’t ahead of its time. It’s right on time.

If you want to purchase a Switch Vehicle for your school, but are concerned about how to obtain training, we offer a comprehensive Switch Vehicles Instructor Training program. These workshops are designed to teach Educators how to assemble the vehicles, problem solve, and promote the STEM Curriculum across the multiple education programs. Teachers love learning how to build our EV assembly kit, for it gets students engaged in something they’re excited to learn!

Upcoming Instructor Training Workshops include the following:

  • January 9, 2023, @ Switch Vehicles Headquarters in Sebastopol, CA
  • January 9, 2023, @ Alamo Colleges – St. Philips College in San Antonio, TX
  • January 23, 2023, @ Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
  • February 20, 2023, @ Switch Vehicles Headquarters in Sebastopol, CA
  • March 20, 2023, @ Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, CA
  • June 5, 2023, @ A-TEC Academy in Walpole, MA

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

The Rise of EV Vocational Programs

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The Time Is Right For EV programs

As the future brings us more and more Electric Vehicle options every year, Americans are beginning to recognize that we are swiftly moving into an EV future. This new technology beckons kids with an interest in engineering, repairs, and design. Our goal is to inspire a new generation of tech leaders.

We’re in Las Vegas this week for the SEMA show, where we’re showing off the Switch Labs curriculum to attendees, as well as building actual Switch vehicles right on the floor with volunteers. If you can attend, we highly recommend coming. Even if you don’t get a slot in the building process, it’s easy to see how fun the program is and how inspiring it can be to a younger generation.

We wish we could bring all interested parties to get involved, and to see how the curriculum can inspire and educate a new generation of students to the rise of EV technology and repair. Unfortunately, all we can do is arrange our sessions and invite participants to try the curriculum for themselves, with us teaching through the process in the same syllabus students will learn from one day. It’s important for us to convey that there are ways to bring Switch Labs to your school that will cost less than you think.

COVID Grant Programs

There’s never been a greater time to bring our EV program into your school. Federal grants for COVID-19 relief have created an unclaimed surplus for educators to add Switch Labs to their curriculum. This money sits unused in many cases and could be tapped to bring your students into 21st century technology.

In some states– South Dakota in particular- – these grants are easy to find. South Dakota has been building up an infrastructure for fast-charging EVs, and now, the state is offering COVID-19 relief money to further education and enrichment of South Dakota’s students. Get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more about how your state can take advantage of grant money to bring this new frontier to your students! 

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

What Have We Learned in the Last Year About EVs?

Piner High School

 

What Have We Learned in the Last Year About EVs?

As we prepare for this year’s SEMA show, we’re reminded that last year’s gathering contained a lot of new information about innovations and advances in Electric Vehicles. We learned about the growth of the electrical vehicle market, how the government and the public are responding to the shift to electric vehicles, and all the new advances in EV technology.

EV’s Moment is At Hand

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular. One thing that’s clear is that the electric vehicle market is growing rapidly. In 2020, there were about 2 million electric vehicles on the road, but by 2030, that number is expected to grow to over 140 million. This rapid growth is being driven by a number of factors, including falling battery costs, increasing fuel efficiency, and stricter emissions regulations.

Governments around the world are also beginning to invest in electric vehicles.

For example, China has announced plans to spend over $360 billion on electric vehicles and related infrastructure between 2020 and 2030. And the UK plans to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040.

The EV industry is beginning to grow exponentially.

The global market for electric vehicles is expected to reach $1.26 trillion by 2030. The public is also beginning to embrace electric vehicles. A recent survey found that about 60% of people would consider buying an electric car in the next five years. This shift is being driven by a number of factors, including falling prices, increasing range, and improved charging infrastructure. General Motors recently announced plans to release a fleet of all-electric pickup trucks in 2021. And Volkswagen plans to release 30 all-electric models by 2025. These new models will help to further accelerate the growth of the electrical vehicle market.

EVs will soon be everywhere.

Buses, boats, trains, and more will soon be relying on renewable energy.  As we move towards a more sustainable future, electric vehicles will play a vital role in every mode of transportation we encounter. EV is the future and it’s arriving very soon.

Components are beginning to become cheaper and more available.

Battery costs for Lithium batteries have dropped 73% since 2010.  In 2016, the cost was $350 per kWh. In 2030, the cost is expected to be $100 per kWh. This price drop is due to advancements in technology and increases in production. The price of an electric vehicle will continue to drop as battery costs decrease. The race is on to create a non-lithium battery that will greatly reduce the price of EVs.  Many different materials are being considered such as: sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc, silicon and even air.  The key is to find a way to store more energy in a smaller battery that will last longer and charge faster.

Charging stations are becoming more and more popular across California and the United States.

The number of public stations increased from 8,400 in 2016 to over 16,000 in 2019.  The goal is to have one station for every 10 electric vehicles on the road.  This will allow people to charge their cars while they are away from home and work.

The U.S. EV industry is about to expand and grow.

The industry will need designers, assemblers, and repair workers for this new fleet. This emerging market is open to anyone with the imagination and foresight to get involved now! And in certain states– notably South Dakota with the recent CTE Innovation Equipment Grant– there’s been a big push for offering EV tech classes in high schools. This modern innovation is moving into places it never has before, and at Switch, we are here for it!Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

Does Your Young Adult’s School Need an EV Program?

It’s no secret that the world is moving towards electric vehicles.  Electric vehicles are not only more environmentally-friendly, but they’re also cheaper to operate and maintain than traditional gasoline-powered cars. So it’s no surprise that many schools are considering adding electric vehicle charging stations to their campuses. If your child’s school is one of them, you may be wondering why they need an EV program.

It’s estimated that by 2030 there will be over 250 million electric cars on the road. That’s a lot of charging stations!  Electric vehicles are the future, and it’s important for our children to be prepared for this new technology.

If your school doesn’t have an Electric Vehicle Charging Station yet, it’s time to make the switch. Switch Labs can help you get set up with the best Electric Vehicle Charging Station for your needs and budget.

Not only is this great for the environment, but it’s also a great way to teach STEM education in a hands-on way.Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. Contact us today to learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school.

How Much Do Muscle Cars & Teslas Have In Common?

Photo by capitalstreet_fx06 on Pixabay

Muscle cars are a big part of the American love for cars. “Popping the hood” to see powerful engines underneath is not only fun in some quarters, but it’s also absolutely titillating. 

And why not? Internal combustion is a series of perfectly-timed explosions in an engine. The image of fuel-burning, internal combustion engines dragging down a strip is unlikely to go away any time soon, despite our constant edging towards the collapse of the ozone layer from a century of poor emissions control.

On the opposite side of the spectrum are electric cars. Considered by many to be tethered to their electric chargers, electric vehicles are still working to gain momentum in the car enthusiast community. One brand has been working very hard to change this stigma: Tesla.

Teslas, although reasonably priced, are still seen as muscle cars to many car lovers. They might not appear to have much in common with a Dodge Charger at first glance, but consider these elements:

The Cool Factor. Teslas are state of the art — even when you ignore their electric status. You’d be hard-pressed to name another car brand that has as many bells and whistles, from the key to the car (a little Hot Wheels-sized model of the car itself) to the touchscreen operations. 

The Power. Teslas have a surprising amount of pickup for a non-internal combustion vehicle. To have a car available that eradicates the stigma of “golf cart'” thinking is excellent for all kinds of electric vehicles. It’s doubtful that EVs could race a muscle car effectively and win, but they’d be in the running — which is all the power most drivers need.

The Beauty. Although some people mock the Cybertruck, few would pass up a chance to drive one. Tesla builds exquisite cars with lots of wow to them, with a high dosage of sleek lines and luxury in the mix.

These three elements make Teslas on par with muscle cars, but then, there’s The Environmental Responsibility. Sure, some will argue that the construction of each Tesla leaves a significant carbon footprint, but driving one for years erases that footprint. And it gets drivers off of dependency on foreign oil — something we should have done way back in 2008 when Detroit collapsed. GM brands continued refining internal combustion and gave Tesla a jump-start on the market they might have cornered when they had the chance.

At Switch Labs, we see the elevation of the Tesla brand as a vital thing. The more we can get drivers interested in EVs, the more the next generation will begin to show an interest in learning to build and repair these vehicles.

Our reusable EV Kit is ideal for students interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. The Switch Lab teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

Gender Equity & The Switch Lab: Why Parents Love Our Program

An invitation

Our world is growing up and opening its eyes to kids who have previously been overlooked for tutelage in renewable energy technology. The shortsighted emphasis in education on just young, able-bodied men is giving way. We’re moving to a more diverse, open future for all of us. Gone are the days when STEM/STEAM programs only included young men. Girls and boys have equal opportunities to show their love for science, technology, engineering, math, art, and design. And Switch Labs specifically wants to invite young women!

The Switch Lab is a fun, safe, exciting program that welcomes young men and women equally. Our program offers support and development of young minds to the possibilities of new technology. Since we began the program, we’ve noticed that parents love us. They know their kids get an exceptional education and develop people skills and team-building skills. In particular, girls and young women are signing up more and more.

Renewable-energy automotive is a cutting-edge industry. In the near future, it will become a significant career market. Early participation and understanding will help both genders improve their chances of success in this emerging industry. What’s more, it doesn’t require a specific type of person to take a hand in education and building– male, female, non-disabled, differently-abled. Any student with curiosity and interest in solar-powered car technology can learn and participate in this program. This moment in time is a remarkable chance to foster children in vehicle design that includes everyone and excludes no one.

Our reusable EV Kit is an ideal project for any student interested in renewable energy, advanced technology, or automobile design. It teaches students how to work with their hands, solve problems, learn about systems, and gain experience in cutting-edge automotive technology. To learn more about how Switch Vehicles can benefit your school, contact us today.

What Makes A Great STEM Program?

For our June blog, we want to introduce you to one of the trainers who are in the process of enrolling his school in our Switch Vehicles program. But before we introduce you to Glenn Dethy, we want to let you know about our upcoming workshop in June:

Switch Vehicles Train-The-Trainer Workshops Now Available

There is a train-the-trainer workshop taking place in Rockford, Illinois, June 21-25, 2021. If you or someone you know who teaches vocational, STEM, or automotive classes and is happy to travel to Illinois, please share the registration link with them. Space is limited, so act fast! https://theswitchlab.com/workshops/ 

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How EV Training Gives Young Minds Career Advantages

At Switch Vehicles, we are huge fans of electric vehicles. All that is going on globally shows that electric cars are here to stay and that many careers will flourish in this industry. We believe that hands-on training with electric vehicles will give young minds many career advantages.

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The Future of Automotive Technical Education

Many people have been questioning the future of automotive technical education. The pandemic has been challenging to the automotive industry, for sure. But there is always good to find in bad situations. As we look into our “pretend” crystal ball to see the future, here is what we believe is unfolding for the future of automotive technical education.

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