With more electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles on the road, technicians are facing a new challenge: knowing how to properly inspect and diagnose electrified vehicles.

These vehicle require a different set of skills, tools, and safety procedures. And in the inspection process, technicians could be missing critical issues, misdiagnosing faults and even putting their own safety at risk.

Russell Hutton from GreenDrive-Tech LLC explores why the standard vehicle inspection process falls short for EVs, and points to the most common mistakes made. Hutton also offers advice on how to upgrade your inspection process to stay ahead of the curve.

The fundamental issue is that EVs function differently than traditional gas-powered cars. Their drivetrains, energy storage systems, and braking systems are unique, requiring a different diagnostic mindset. However, many technicians are still relying on ICE-based diagnostic methods, which can lead to:

The battery pack is the heart of an EV, yet many technicians aren’t properly evaluating its condition. Unlike ICE vehicles, EVs don’t have as many moving parts that wear down over time, making battery health the single most important factor in EV’s longevity.

EVs operate on high-voltage (HV) electrical systems that require specialized inspection techniques.

Regenerative braking allows EVs to recover energy when slowing down, but it also changes how brake wear and system diagnostics work.

Learn About Proper EV inspections in this Webinar

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025

Time: 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Eastern