TOLEDO, Ohio — After a year in the making, Toledo leaders marked a significant day in the evolution of the electric vehicle industry in the city.
"There is no other place quite like this anywhere else in the country," Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said.
Construction of the $4.5 million facility received an additional $1.25 million in federal support through Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo).
Representatives said the electric vehicle lab will benefit current autoworkers and students well beyond graduation.
"These kids will not only be ready for industry but more importantly, be gainfully employed at 18 years of age," Toledo Public Schools superintendent Romules Durant said. "This also allows UAW members who are currently in the training force to get trained on electric vehicles as well to advance themselves and their careers."
Features of the lab include:
- 11,000 square feet of space, including a repair area with six vehicle lifts and a classroom
- Solar panels installed on the roof to assist with renewable energy education
- Model 3 Tesla trainer vehicle, one of only six of its kind in the world
The targeted groups for studies and training at the Electric Vehicle Lab include junior and senior students at Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering, current mechanics who want to keep up their skills to be marketable and displaced autoworkers in search of new careers.
The facility will also be used by the Auto Technology Program at Start High School which will use the EV Lab as a satellite facility to study electric vehicles in addition to their study of traditional internal combustion vehicles.
No more than 25 students would be in each class. Following the completion of the class, students will have been tested in numerous areas and earned various certifications including:
- ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Certification Level 1 and ASE xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Certification Level 2
- Multiple Snap-On tool-specific certifications and 3M PPE (personal protective equipment) certifications.
- Students studying specifically for careers as high voltage vehicle and battery technicians will also study and test for the ASE xEV Level 3
Auto industry experts say the Biden administration's ambitious goal of 50% of new vehicles being electric by 2030 is looking harder to hit as sales remain cool.
But there's no question that automakers locally are preparing for this transition.
With job security in mind, UAW and GM representatives want those students to train and then work in Toledo.
"The auto industry has always been a good source of employment in Toledo and this extends that into other areas," Tony Totty, UAW Local 14 president said. "We need to utilize every opportunity with the change to EV as much as possible. There's more jobs out there like this."
Current students, like Manuel Seephon, said they're excited about the opportunities ahead.
"It's a different aspect when it comes to EVs. We're getting a lot of different widespread opportunities and we're getting a lot of things that can both better vehicles with EV, but also help with motors as well," Seephon said.
Local GM plant executive, Tammy Golden, said the new lab will ensure Toledo will have a spot in the automotive future and the employees to keep it running.
"The industry has changed more in five years than it has in 50 years. You see the pace of the industry moving at a rate beyond our comprehension," Golden said. "So for us, it's important that our students are ready, that they get the skill sets that allow them to participate in an all-EV future and participate on day one."