September 23, 2025
The EV Trainer Cart, manufactured by EVWest, is a fully assembled, operational electric vehicle (EV) training system designed for educators seeking hands-on teaching aids.
Complete EV system
The cart provides access to a complete running system for diagnostics and programming instruction. It enables demonstrations of AC motor and inverter controller operation, DC-to-DC converter functionality, and high-voltage charging processes, including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
It also facilitates instruction on battery management system (BMS) safety functions, controller area network (CAN) diagnostics and ASE L3 certification competencies.
All the components on the trainer are actual auto components that could be put in a vehicle.
“The setup has all of the powertrain components needed to convert a vehicle into an electric vehicle,” said Andrea Mitofsky, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Mark Weller, who has taught college automotive classes for 20 years, developed the EV Trainer Cart after seeing the need to teach the electric vehicle drivetrain in an easy-to-learn format using real components.
Faculty training
On Sept. 15 and 16, Weller, instructor and cart designer, came to Trine’s campus to train John Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Joe Thompson, laboratory manager and instructor, and Andrea Mitofsky, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on the system.
Weller also spoke to Dr. Mitofsky’s Automotive Electronics class about electric vehicles and their components.
“Students were enlightened about some of the engineering opportunities with EVs as this segment of transportation continues to grow,” Weller said.
Based in San Marcos, California, EVWest specializes in converting vehicles from gas to electric.
Members of Trine University’s student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), alongside faculty and students from the McKetta Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, brought hands-on science to life for more than 140 Girl Scouts during the recent STEM Expo hosted by Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana–Michiana.
Steve Faramelli, creative media specialist in the Office of University Marketing and Communications at Trine University, received a 2024-2025 Best of CASE District V award for a hockey media guide cover he designed.
The cast of the Trine University Theatre production of “Murder on the Orient Express” poses on the stage of the Ryan Concert Hall in the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts.