Independent specialist Thatcham Research, which is based in the UK, has launched a new training program that is designed to get businesses and employees up to speed with electric cars. The program, called EV Ready, covers EV-specific facets such as battery identification, safely working on electric vehicles and component repair – and both e-learning and … Continue reading Thatcham powers up new EV training
Kevin O’Shea, the president of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (RACCA) in Australia, has racked up a 50-year career as a technician and authority in the refrigeration and air conditioning business. In that time, much has changed. However, reflecting on his experiences in a recent article, O’Shea has flagged that the industry still … Continue reading The importance of apprentices
Scania Australia has announced that it will financially support light-vehicle technicians who are looking to make the leap to working on heavy-duty vehicles. The company will fund additional training at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges, granting technicians the certification required to work on heavy-vehicle-specific hardware – such as air brakes and hydraulic systems. “Lately, … Continue reading Scania aims to attract new techs
Legal restrictions and a lack of incentives deny Australian companies much-needed zero-emissions trucks – but a new partnership could change the story According to a new report from the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), the truck market in North America offers more than five times the number of zero-emissions models than that in Australia. It’s a … Continue reading Australia falling behind in zero-emissions truck race
Commercial vehicle manufacturer PACCAR, which builds Peterbilt, DAF and Kenworth trucks, has announced a new long-term deal with electrification specialist Romeo Power. For the next five years, Romeo Power – which is based in Los Angeles, California – will supply PACCAR with battery packs, modules and management systems for its all-electric vehicles. The Romeo Power … Continue reading New EV tech deal for Kenworth trucks
Out with diesel, in with electric: the growing adoption of zero-emissions refrigerated trailers Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, which is based in the United Kingdom, has reportedly become the first retailer in the country to adopt fully electric refrigerated trailers. The move, which will reduce the environmental impact of its vehicles, is part of the company’s overarching … Continue reading Making the all-electric cold chain a reality
Businesses and apprentices alike set to benefit from new, broader dual-trade training schemes Opting for an apprenticeship has long been an excellent way to obtain a set of skills that are in demand – ensuring employment and a long-lived career. However, as industries have evolved and calls for increased productivity and efficiency have increased, many … Continue reading Dual-trade apprenticeships for broader skill sets
One issue with electric vehicle (EV) battery enclosures is that they cannot be hermetically sealed, because the casing could be damaged by pressure and temperature differentials that arise during operation. However, this means that condensation can form on the inside of the battery casing – which could lead to electrical shorts and corrosion. Those issues, … Continue reading The high-voltage hurdle of humidity
A story published by Safe To Work has highlighted how improperly maintained mobile air conditioning systems (MACs) can pose significant health issues. Safe To Work, which documents safety matters in the Australian mining sector, reported that a mobile plant operator has been diagnosed with a lung disease after 35 years’ work in civil construction and … Continue reading Clogged air-con system contributes to illness
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has commended the work of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, following the release of a paper highlighting the achievements of the global environment-protecting Montreal Protocol. “While you won’t find refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices studying about repair jobs for oxygen molecules in the stratosphere,” said ARC in a press release, … Continue reading ARC praises refrigerant techs
