Electric ELVES Training in Safe Dismantling and Recycling of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles at Plunket College
ELVES, the End-of-Life Vehicle compliance scheme www.elves.ie hosted a training programme for Authorised Treatment Facilities (Permitted scrapyards) in the safe handling of end-of-life hybrid, electric and mild hybrid vehicles at Plunket College of Further Education in Whitehall, Dublin 9 on 28th January 2020. The Electric ELVES programme is the first and only workshop/classroom-based course of its kind in Ireland and is free of charge to attendees.
As the compliance scheme for the End-of-Life Vehicle sector, ELVES saw the need to develop the Electric ELVES programme in response to the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid cars, from full electric vehicles (600volt+) to mild-hybrids (48volt+).The course content addresses new health and safety risks which vehicle dismantlers face in handling electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as helping to provide solutions to the challenging environmental reuse, recycling and recovery targets set out in End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations. 
The Electric ELVES training programme was launched in September 2019. The accredited tactical training programme is being facilitated by ELVES with the support of the Irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association (IMVRA).
The training programme is open to all ATFs in Ireland, not just those in the ELVES ATF Network. Programme availability will develop nationwide as awareness of and demand for the course dictates. Allowing all Irish ATFs to access the training programme will expand critical knowledge and expertise across the country, supporting all ATFs in developing competence in the handling of this new technology. The course is provided free of charge to ATFs. Interested ATFs should contact ELVES www.elves.ie to register their interest for future training days.
The course is taught by leading industry professionals Salvage Wire. Salvage Wire recently won Best Automotive Recycling Consultancy 2019 in the UK Build Recycling and Waste Management Awards for achievements and innovations made within the industry. Salvage Wire also recently won the US Automotive Recyclers Association (US), 2019 President’s Award.
Plunket College of Further Education, Whitehall, Dublin, is part of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, CDETB. The college offers the QQI Level 5 Pre Apprenticeship - Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Motor Technology course which is supported and funded by SOLAS. The new motor vehicle workshop facility at the college is ideally suited for the practical element of the Electric ELVES training programme.
According to ELVES Environmental Compliance Manager Elena Wrelton, “This Electric ELVES course is of immense value to ATFs. ELVES is providing this second series of training workshops in response to significant industry demand. When the course launched in September, ELVES had a huge number of new requests for training from vehicle recyclers. It is of critical importance that those working in the industry are equipped with the resources available to be fully confident and competent in dealing with the correct reuse and recycling of all types of vehicles.”
“ELVES is very much committed to ensuring that all Irish ATFs have access to the best industry resources available, including relevant expertise, support, information and training programmes that are industry specific and pro-actively address key issues impacting the sector,” said Ms Wrelton.
Both Adrian Delaney, Principal and Elaine O’Sullivan, Deputy Principal are delighted to host the Electric ELVES training programme. “We always seek to provide progressive educational opportunities here at Plunket College of Further Education. Incorporating this new workshop-based learning about the procedures addressing health and safety risks, as well as helping to provide solutions in meeting reuse, recycling and recovery targets in the electric vehicle sector is a worthwhile and practical course partnership for us. The demand for electric and hybrid cars is continuously increasing and as it does, so must our capacity to deal with the issues that it presents for society. This Electric ELVES training course has its eye on the future.”