Training: How a roadster becomes an e-car
UNIKAT Over 300 apprentices at the Liestal Vocational School for Trade and Industry have acquired knowledge about electric cars with a conversion project. A Smart Roadster was converted into an e-mobile. The Smart Roadster offers space for two people, weighs less than 900 kilograms and has the typical two-tone look. The model differs from the original in one respect: instead of an internal combustion engine [...]
The Smart Roadster offers space for two people, weighs less than 900 kilograms and is equipped with the typical two-tone look. The model differs from the original in one respect: Instead of an internal combustion engine, an electric drive provides the necessary thrust.
Interdisciplinary project
The conversion goes back to the "E-GiBL One" project of the Gewerblich-industriellen Berufsfachschule Liestal. The interdisciplinary project, including sponsoring, event management and administration, has involved more than 20 classes. Over the past four years, more than 300 students in eleven different professions have been involved in the conversion, with a total of more than 2,000 learning hours.
This gave professionals from a wide range of disciplines the opportunity to learn and test their skills on a concrete object. Elektra Baselland (EBL) supported the project with its focus program electromobility and its know-how.
Various illustrative models
The idea for the conversion came from a specialist teacher.
Benno Stöcklin: "There are various illustrative models on the subject of electromobility for teaching. With these, learners can only acquire a few action skills. They are also expensive.
Background: Series-produced vehicles are not suitable for teaching because they are operated at high voltages and may only be repaired by skilled personnel.
Smart Roadster ideal vehicle
This gave Stöcklin the idea of building his own e-mobile, the "E-GiBL One", with the apprentices.
Benno Stöcklin: "Converting a sporty, attractive car is an ideal project for getting learners excited about electromobility, motivating them and familiarizing them with the new technology."
With the Smart Roadster, Stöcklin and the young professionals found the ideal model for the GiBL project and the implementation of activity-based teaching. It is light, sporty and affordable.
Challenge for professionals
The refitting was intensive and challenged the young professionals. The first to be involved in the project were seven apprentices from "Junior Car Cracks", the support program for high-performing apprentices of the AGVS section of both Basel.
At the beginning they discussed and planned the electric conversion in all details and calculated the necessary power of the motor and the batteries. With a technical vocational high school class, the calculated data was verified and found to be good. In this way, new classes were continuously involved. These included automotive mechatronics engineers, automotive specialists, design engineers, polymechanics, carrossiers specializing in tinsmithing, painters and learners at the basic metal school.
Making electromobility palatable to young professionals, promoting higher-performing learners and implementing action competence-oriented teaching - these were the goals of the "E-GiBL One" project. The goal was achieved with the conversion of the Smart Roadster into an e-mobile.
