The Toyota Mirai’s popularity extended to College of the Desert in Palm Desert.
Douglas Redman, Associate Professor of Automotive/Advanced Transportation, used CEC funds to purchase a Mirai as well as PicoScopes, which are advanced diagnostic tools.
Redman said there’s still a stigma in the industry of auto shops and garages not wanting to service hybrids or alternative fuel vehicles because of safety issues and they are too complex.
He’s hoping that his students, armed with knowledge on how to safely repair these vehicles, can help break down that stigma.
“The goal is to give them the skills that make them more marketable,” Redman said. “They will enter the workforce not being afraid of hybrids or electric or hydrogen cars.”
The college is working on adding a certificate of achievement in hybrid, electric and hydrogen vehicles.
Students in those programs will perform hands-on work on the Mirai and other alternative fuel vehicles.
The purchase of PicoScopes will also allow students to gain experience using a diagnostic tool that they are likely to see if they get a job servicing alternate fuel vehicles. The program previously had an older version that did not interface with the computer systems in newer model vehicles.
College of the Desert is also acquiring a new generation “LowNox/Near Zero” emission heavy duty engine and partnering with San Bernardino Valley College, who also acquired this engine, to provide training to students and faculty on alternative fuels across the region.
“It’s such a cutting edge market that what looks like a good tool today might not be used anymore,” Redman said. “Our goal is to supply an industry equivalent so the student isn’t touching something they’ve never seen before when they walk into a job.”
