Cypress Gets Country’s First Toyota/Lexus T-TEN EV Vehicle
The Cypress College Toyota/Lexus T-TEN program has become the first in the country to receive a new electric vehicle for use in its curriculum. For the fall 2023 semester, Toyota Motor Sales North America offered the Automotive Technology department a Lexus RZ Premium electric SUV to support hybrid and electric vehicle maintenance and repair education.
Cypress T-TEN courses were updated this year to include hybrid and electric vehicle course content. This vehicle will be the first of many more EVs to come to the T-TEN program in the future, Program Director Michael Klyde says.
“The shift from gasoline powered vehicles to EVs is quickly taking shape,” Klyde said. “The Cypress T-TEN program is working to stay ahead of the need that is quickly building for technicians with the knowledge and experience to diagnose and repair these vehicles. “
An S&P Global Mobility forecast predicts electric vehicle sales in the United States could reach 40% of total passenger car sales by 2030. Automotive News recently reported that Toyota expects to sell 3.5 million EVs annually by that same year.
“Technicians and the repair facility must be prepared for this repair work,” Klyde said. “With this in mind, Cypress T-TEN updated our curriculum three years ago. With the arrival of this first of many EVs to the T-TEN program, we are in a good place to ensure the Toyota and Lexus dealers nearby will have qualified technicians for the many EVs that will be in service by the start of the next decade.”
To find T-TEN courses on electric vehicles, visit the class schedule page.
