Peter Oliver, Co-Founder & CEOTraditional EV education however, has often been fragmented, focusing either on theory alone or on limited hands-on sessions with “donor” or shop vehicles to demonstrate specific repairs or functions. These methods provide partial insights but fall short of delivering a comprehensive understanding of how EVs truly operate.
But what if there were a better way—where classrooms transform into dynamic workshops? A place where students don’t just learn about EVs; they build one from the ground up.
Enter Switch Vehicles’ innovative EV education program, where theory and practice combine for a truly immersive experience.
With Switch Vehicles’ EV kit and project-based curriculum, students engage in a complete, hands-on journey through EV design and mechanics. From day one, they gain real-world experience, learning to understand, diagnose, and interact with every component of an electric vehicle by assembling it.
“The learning paths are endless. But when it comes to EV education, the answer is clear: PBL,” says Brandon Watt, marketing & community manager. “We combine theory with hands-on experience in a project-based learning environment to give students a rare opportunity unavailable in conventional learning methods.”
Three Tailored Models for Diverse Learning Environments
Through the Switch Lab EV Program, the company offers a complete, reusable kit comprising the chassis, DC or permanent magnet drive system, battery, wiring, lights, seat, seatbelt, and windshield. The package also includes lab kits, activities such as relay labs focused on switches and circuits, and high-voltage safety gear, providing a complete, turnkey solution for EV education.
The reusable kit comes in three versatile modules to accommodate diverse learning settings and educational goals:
1. The lead-acid model—for school-level students.
2. The lithium iron phosphate model— for college and post-graduate students.
3. The EV Trainer ”a rolling workstation suitable for lab sessions in STEM classes with limited space. This ADA-compliant rolling cart can be easily moved between classrooms, including engineering, chemistry, or auto tech. It contains all key components of the program but is smaller and more portable, making it ideal for schools with limited space or flexibility in class locations.
“Our team has developed measures to ensure all interactions with educational institutions yield positive outcomes. We recognize that the program can be challenging—it’s like the world’s largest and most complicated Lego set, with many components and wire harnesses. We understand that teachers may encounter issues and things can break, but our focus is on ensuring that students receive the best,” says Watt.
We combine theory with handson experience in a projectbased learning environment to give students a rare opportunity unavailable in conventional learning methods
Switch Vehicles offers a comprehensive warranty and honors warranties from major component manufacturers, including those for the battery and battery management system (BMS). Even if students break any components, instructors can replace them promptly to keep the program running smoothly. The components are designed to be reusable and reconfigurable.
These off-the-shelf components can be purchased in local hardware stores like ACE Hardware. This design choice allows for easy rebuilding, as each component is created to be attached and detached after every build. Schools may even construct the vehicle for one semester and leave it assembled for the following semester, allowing students to explore features like regenerative braking or participate in events such as homecoming parades. Students are not just learning theory—they are actively building street-legal, three-wheeled electric vehicles.
A notable example comes from Columbia High School in Georgia, where an engineering class faced challenges due to a small doorway and a large class size of 25 students. Here, Switch Vehicles’ manufacturing team measured the space and developed a plan to disassemble the rolling glider for easier access. They collaborated closely with the teacher to organize the lab, providing guidance on creating an organizational system and identifying necessary tools, as the class lacked many typical auto shop tools.
Following the team's instructions, the teacher successfully brought the glider into the lab, expressing gratitude and excitement about the program’s visibility through classroom windows, which would engage other students in the EV program.
This instance exemplifies how student engagement grows exponentially when hands-on, PBL experiences encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. And yes, some mistakes are inevitable in the learning journey.
Providing Much-Needed Support for Educators
Switch Vehicles' EV program stands out for students thanks to its thoughtfully developed curriculum, created to align with G-W Publishing, which covers fundamental topics in EV technology and electrical systems.
Through a ‘train the trainer’ approach, Switch Vehicles supports instructors with a five-day workshop where teachers assemble the vehicle themselves, gaining hands-on experience and learning to guide students through the entire process. With Switch Vehicles managing all aspects, schools don’t need to seek additional service providers to integrate EV programs into their existing curricula or auto shop courses.
The curriculum includes key topics such as direct current (DC) motors, alternating current (AC) motors, permanent magnet motors, regenerative braking, and traction control. Teachers also have the flexibility to adapt the content to their unique teaching styles, fostering an engaging and adaptable educational experience. Colleges can complete the vehicle build in as little as five weeks, while high schools may choose a slower pace to integrate more theory and lab activities.
Schools also have the option to complete the build within a single semester or to spread it over two, focusing on theoretical learning in the first semester and hands-on assembly in the second.
The Cherry Creek Innovation Center in Denver exemplifies the program’s rebuildability. They initially purchased a low-end model three years ago, followed by a second high-end model within a year due to increased enrollment, and then added the EV Trainer, creating a pathway from lead-acid, low-voltage builds to lithium high-voltage training and full vehicle construction.
Students successfully disassembled and rebuilt the first chassis five times and the higher-end model twice, showcasing their vehicle at the ISTE conference in Denver. This demonstrated the program’s long-term return on investment (ROI).
Inspiring Exploration: Encouraging Diverse Engineering Disciplines
Switch Vehicles’ project-based learning approach equips students with a practical understanding of components and system functions, setting them up for careers with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Tesla, Ford, and Toyota. Many students who participated in the program have gone on to work at companies such as Rivian, focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) and battery manufacturing. The initiative enables schools to offer a broader curriculum that includes EV training in addition to internal combustion engine (ICE) education—an essential knowledge asset in today’s evolving job market.
The Switch Lab EV Program also emphasizes the development of soft skills, including communication, documentation, organization, and teamwork, by encouraging students to collaborate on projects. This approach has proven successful in boosting student engagement, with many students eager to attend class and significantly improving retention rates. Graduates not only have the experience of building an EV but are prepared to obtain certifications from the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Association, including xEV Level 1 and Level 2, and prepare for L3 certification.
Upon graduation, students possess valuable credentials that validate their knowledge and skills, demonstrating their capability as technicians in the EV sector and their preparedness to work in high-voltage environments. Additionally, the program offers OSHA high-voltage safety training, equipping students with foundational skills for potential careers with power companies and utility line work.
“The comprehensive educational experience offered through our program and solutions inspires students to explore various engineering disciplines, including battery chemistry and motor programming,” says Watt.
Pioneering Change: Equipping Students for Sustainable Careers
All these successes are built upon the company’s founding vision. Switch Vehicles was established in 2013 by Peter Oliver, a former college professor who taught classes on converting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). He recognized the importance of hands-on learning in preparing students for developing the technology of tomorrow.
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The comprehensive educational experience offered through our program and solutions inspires students to explore various engineering disciplines, including battery chemistry and motor programming
Initially focused on converting ICE vehicles to EVs, Oliver pivoted to education after the arrival of the Nissan Leaf and other OEM EVs. He partnered with local schools to implement his open-frame tube chassis vehicles, receiving positive feedback for the clear labeling and organization of components, which facilitated integration into auto shop programs.
Starting in Sonoma County, Switch Vehicles rapidly expanded to 37 U.S. states and over 365 programs, with international reach in Dubai, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Malaysia. The company upgraded from lead-acid to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, enabling students to learn about motor programming and high-voltage safety with 96+ volt systems.
With continuous improvement at its core, the company went on to create the EV Trainer, a functional EV on an insulated rolling cart.
Switch Vehicles is now enhancing its offerings by developing engaging lab kits for middle school students to learn about electricity, batteries, and motors. It plans to introduce Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) programs and educational EV conversion kits, allowing schools to convert donor vehicles into electric models. This initiative offers schools an opportunity to create vintage or classic cars as electric vehicles, fostering students’ skills and encouraging them to challenge the status quo.
By empowering students with practical skills in EV technology, Switch Vehicles fosters creativity and prepares them for future careers, making a lasting impact on education and sustainability.
