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10/27/22: Our Electric Future

Our Electric Future & Training the Next Generation: Emerging Trends in Vehicle Electrification

We’re rapidly accelerating towards mass electric vehicle ownership – but will automotive tech keep up? While more people are switching to electric vehicles, the statewide curriculum for automotive technology students lags behind, revealing a need to update the ways we train the next generation for an electric future.

RideWise, Raritan Valley Community College, and our Keynote Speaker Dr. Mark Quarto of Electrified Vehicle Systems Technologies led this virtual discussion and explored new trends towards vehicle electrification and how we can best prepare those training for a career in automotive technology for the very near future.

Topics Covered:

  • Automotive industry trends and moving to electrification
  • Increased opportunities for technicians as technology evolves
  • More technicians are requesting more electrification education and training – are we answering the call?
  • Where do we go from here?  Educational paths and obstacles for mastering electrified technologies

Presenters:

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark Quarto, Electrified Vehicle Systems Technologies

Dr. Mark Quarto supports international business alliances and customers in the development of electric propulsion and energy management power systems for the past 36 years. During his 28-year tenure with General Motors his EV technology, engineering, and technical training focus as an Engineering Group Manager was in the areas of developing propulsion and battery pack systems for the GM EV1, Chevrolet Tahoe/Yukon Hybrid, Chevrolet Spark EV, Chevrolet Volt, and numerous demonstration fleet electric and fuel cell products. His passion for educating and training the next generation of automotive technicians and engineers has connected him with numerous domestic and international educational projects in various capacities including custom curriculum development, authoring books and publications, consultations as an SME, project management, and other technical roles supporting EV Systems and Technologies. Dr. Quarto provides instruction on hybrid, electric, and plug-in vehicle systems for the SAE, OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, within various college environments, and other global markets.

Sara Heller, Instructor/Coordinator for Automotive Technology, Raritan Valley Community College

Sara Heller is the automotive technology program instructor/coordinator at Raritan Valley Community College. She has just started her fourth year at RV. She was the instructor/coordinator at Middlesex College prior to working at RV and she worked in several schools in New York before moving to New Jersey.  Sara is extremely passionate about the program and is always looking for ways to improve and to make sure that her students are learning the skills they need to succeed in the automotive field.

Moderated by Stanislav Jaracz, PhD, President, New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association

Stan Jaracz is an EV advocate and community volunteer. He leads a chapter of the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) in the State since 2019. The mission of NJEVA is to accelerate the adoption of EVs through education and demonstration. While partnering with numerous municipalities, transportation agencies, state agencies, Plugin America, Sierra Club, ChargEVC, colleges, and religious organizations, Stan organizes dozens of EV shows in New Jersey every year. He was an invited speaker to Sustainable Jersey, NRG Energy, Colgate-Palmolive and Ethical Culture Society of Essex County. He spearheaded implementation of workplace charging at Colgate-Palmolive Technology Center. For his environmental stewardship, which includes work in Franklin Twp Environmental Commission, Stan has received NJ State Governor’s Jefferson Award in 2022.