As the EV space continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: there’s still a need for people who can work on these systems safely and confidently. That’s why we’re investing in real training, real tools, and a facility that brings it all together.
This summer’s EV Fundamentals Bootcamp brought educators, techs, and industry pros from across the country to Legacy HQ in Gilbert, Arizona. They spent five days in our newly updated lab, working hands-on with the same components and vehicles they’ll see out in the field.
In this behind-the-scenes look, we’re sharing what the bootcamp experience is really like, how our facility is evolving, and why the people showing up to train are just as exciting as the tools they’re using.
Legacy EV’s headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona has become a central hub for electric vehicle education, engineering, and innovation. After more than a year of continuous improvements, the facility is now better equipped than ever to support the growing demand for EV training.
From the moment you step inside, the front lobby sets the tone. The space highlights Legacy’s mission to empower the EV workforce, with visual storytelling and displays that reflect the company’s role in shaping the future of transportation. Behind the scenes, departments like R&D, education, tech support, and sales work closely together to support shops, schools, fleets, and manufacturers around the country.
The dedicated classroom and lab space is where most hands-on training takes place. It’s outfitted with four full training benches, three battery workstations, and a range of real EV components from major manufacturers. This is where students spend the majority of their time during the EV Fundamentals Bootcamp, working directly with tools and systems under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Just beyond the classroom is the shop floor and R&D lab. On any given day, you’ll find a dozen or more EV projects in various stages of completion. Students are encouraged to engage with these builds during training, getting an up-close look at how systems are installed, integrated, and tested. The space is equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, a full fabrication shop, a 4-wheel dyno, and dedicated wiring areas. This is also where Legacy develops and refines its curriculum, testing new components and building the tools that power the next generation of EV education.
Recent projects in the shop include a 1968 Cadillac convertible being built for Nate Burleson, featuring a 55 kilowatt-hour battery pack and custom rear suspension. An 800-volt Porsche for NBA star Bradley Beal is also in the works, using an IDM 375 motor capable of 375 kilowatts of peak output. Past builds like Project E Live, a gas-to-electric SEMA booth conversion completed in just four days, and the electric vehicles created for the Yellowstone: 1923 television series continue to shape Legacy’s approach to training and technical development.
In the expanded warehouse and assembly areas, teams are busy shipping out components, lab tools, and fully assembled training carts to schools and builders across the country. Legacy also produces its own training benches and go-kart platforms in-house, helping programs launch or expand EV instruction in their local communities.
A newly added media room rounds out the facility upgrades, enabling the production of virtual training sessions and technical video content. This supports instructors and learners who are teaching or training remotely.
By the time students arrive for bootcamp, the whole ecosystem is already in motion. Instructors are prepping sessions, vehicles are being tested, and tools are being packaged for the next wave of educators and technicians. The facility is more than a shop or a classroom—it’s a working model of what EV education looks like when it’s built into every corner of the operation.
The EV Fundamentals Bootcamp is designed to give participants a practical, hands-on foundation in EV systems. It’s a five-day, in-person course that takes place at Legacy EV’s headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona, with students coming from all over the country to train in our dedicated classroom and lab.
Before they arrive, every student completes an online learning module that introduces core concepts like high-voltage safety, electrical theory, and EV system design. This prep work ensures that time on site is focused on doing the work, not just learning the vocabulary.
Once in the classroom, the training starts with the basics and builds day by day. On day one, students learn how EV systems replace internal combustion components. They work with block diagrams to map out power, charging, communication, and cooling systems, and use multimeters to test circuits. There’s also a focus on safety basics like Ohm’s Law, gear ratios, IP ratings, and understanding how current flows through different components.
Day two centers on working safely around high-voltage systems. Students learn how to set up an electrically safe workspace and follow proper de-energizing procedures. They study HVIL systems, ground fault monitoring, and the differences between active and passive discharge. On the bench, they practice stripping, terminating, and routing high-voltage wiring, while reading datasheets to understand system specs and ratings.
On day three, students dive into battery systems and high-voltage integration. They explore the structure and function of BMS systems, battery pack architecture, and EV charging systems like J1772 connectors and DC-DC converters. The hands-on work includes building battery diagrams, identifying components like contactors and fuses, and discussing how packs are designed and packaged in real vehicles.
The fourth day shifts into software, programming, and data analysis. Students configure controllers, program throttle curves, and monitor system performance using tools like SmartView. They also get real-time feedback from go-kart test drives and instructor-led vehicle demos. This part of the course helps students understand how data connects to diagnostics and system behavior.
Day five ties everything together with a focus on diagnostics, troubleshooting, and safety testing. Students run bonding and insulation resistance tests, work through fault scenarios, and learn how to interpret fault codes and system responses. After a final review, they take the certification exam to complete the course.
In addition to classroom time, students also enjoy networking events like go-kart nights, catered lunches, and evening happy hours. These informal moments are a chance to connect with instructors, meet fellow technicians and educators, and talk shop with others who are driving the future of electric vehicles.
The EV Fundamentals Bootcamp draws a wide range of participants, from educators and engineers to technicians, business owners, and emerging professionals. The June session brought together a dozen attendees from across the country, each with a different reason for being there but all sharing a common goal: to gain real, hands-on EV training.
Several attendees were educators preparing to bring EV instruction into their classrooms. Wayne Clift, a high school electronics teacher from Hillsboro, Oregon, attended the bootcamp to build confidence and expand opportunities for his students. The experience helped reduce the learning curve around new technology and gave him the tools to bring certification-ready training back to his school.
Mark Villanova, an instructor at Eden Area ROP in California, is launching a Zero Emissions Vehicle Technology program for high schoolers. He used the bootcamp as a model for what effective hands-on training looks like, taking the five-day structure and adapting it into a full school-year curriculum.
Ian Denham, a facility investigator for the Arizona Department of Corrections, attended with a different mission. He plans to bring EV education into the prison system to help incarcerated individuals develop in-demand skills that can support their reintegration into the workforce. He sees EV technology as a pathway to dignity, employment, and purpose for people who have often been overlooked.
Other attendees included community college instructors, CTE program directors, and even a small business owner looking to introduce EV services at their oil change locations.
This diversity is typical for the program. Past sessions have included:
• Automotive shop owners preparing for the EV shift
• Entrepreneurs launching new conversion businesses
• DIY enthusiasts working on personal projects
• Custom car builders exploring EV powertrains
• Engineers and managers from component suppliers and OEMs
Whether someone is teaching students, converting vehicles, or planning an EV fleet rollout, the bootcamp is designed to meet them where they are. Participants learn by doing, gain valuable certifications, and walk away with the skills to take their next step in the EV space.
The EV Fundamentals Bootcamp is a hands-on entry point into an industry that still needs knowledgeable, capable professionals in every corner. With an upgraded facility, real-world vehicles and components, and a growing community of instructors, builders, and innovators, Legacy EV is continuing to raise the bar for what EV education can look like.
Whether you’re an educator building a new program, a technician ready to upskill, or a shop owner looking toward the future, this bootcamp is designed to help you take that next step—with the tools, support, and confidence to back it up.
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