In this instalment of Life In An EV Garage Matt Cleevely addresses EV servicing and repairs and how its not as daunting as it seems.
Data from the SMMT paints a clear picture of the EV revolution: BEV registrations soared by 17.8 per cent in 2023 alone, commanding a remarkable 16.5 per cent market share.
Some garage owners might argue that their customers currently don’t own EVs. While that might be true, it doesn’t mean they won’t consider getting one in the future. Being perceived as ‘EV Ready’ is crucial. That’s why, in the early stages of embracing electric, we got a couple of EV courtesy cars to show our customers that we’re equipped to service and maintain EVs. These courtesy cars allowed many of our existing customers to experience driving an EV for the first time, and some of them went on to purchase one. Additionally, they also gave our technicians the chance to become more familiar with EV technology.
The other familiar argument that we hear is that EVs aren’t the future, and they’d be right! They’re here in the present – our data can attest to that. At Cleevely Group, we’re witnessing firsthand the demand for EV servicing and repairs, which now consists of 44 per cent of all jobs we undertake. This trend highlights a fantastic opportunity for independent garages to surpass the service levels offered by main dealerships.
Yet, despite the promising market, there is still a common misconception: too many independent garage owners are still daunted by the prospect of EVs. Let me assure you, embracing EV needn’t be an impossible challenge. While training is essential, the reality is that much of the EV work we encounter mirrors routine ICE vehicle servicing and maintenance.
A significant portion of the EV work we handle involves tasks such as steering and suspension, brakes, and tyres – jobs independent workshops are already routinely undertaking. The powertrain is irrelevant. For workshops, the transition to EV represents an evolution rather than a revolution.
To address lingering hesitations, we’ve launched EV/hybrid training courses for technicians with IMI Level 2, 3, or 4 qualifications.
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