MAY 2024 AFTERMARKET 61 www.aftermarketonline.net vehicles will reach a point where they are too old or worn to be worth repairing. Completing training now allows you to prepare for this shift and be better placed to serve the changing needs of customers. I want to get electrically qualified; what should I do? Since high-voltage electrical components and cables make EV repair and maintenance jobs more dangerous if carried out by untrained hands, gaining the right qualifications is crucial. Fortunately, colleges and training centres across the country offer IMI-accredited courses to help you upskill your staff and improve your business offering, which provides numerous long-term benefits. To become fully EV qualified, you must complete training courses up to Level 4 by the IMI. A Level 1 qualification involves a basic understanding of safe practices and the dangers of working with electric and hybrid vehicles. Level 2 is designed for technicians who will encounter EVs in a routine maintenance situation. It contains the skills required to work safely around a vehicle that may have sustained damage to its highvoltage electrical system. After achieving Level 3, you are equipped with an understanding of how the electrical circuits of an EV work and interact with each other. Finally, a Level 4 qualification certifies that you can comprehensively diagnose, test and repair EVs and their components. In addition to completing the proper training, there are a few other things to consider. One is your suppliers - since obtaining EV parts can be difficult, it’s a good idea to forge good supply chain relationships as soon as possible to avoid delays. The other major thing you’ll need to do is research and secure specialist repair equipment. While this is a significant investment on top of training costs, it is necessary to meet the increased demands for EV repairs and servicing. Weighing the pros and cons In some ways, working on EVs is less complicated because they have fewer moving parts, around 20, compared to the thousands involved in an ICE vehicle. This makes them easier to service, allowing for a quicker turnaround and more jobs to be completed each day. Many electric vehicle owners are willing to pay a premium for a highquality service, so holding advanced qualifications in this field could boost your revenue. Additionally, offering employees the chance to expand their skill set and use cutting-edge technology will increase staff retention, which is vital in an increasingly competitive labour market. However, it’s crucial to recognise the challenges garages face as they see more electric and hybrid vehicles entering the workshop. According to the claims management firm Activate Group, it isn’t always plain sailing with repair jobs, which take 1.5 days longer on average. Sourcing parts can be complex, especially since aftermarket alternatives aren’t always available, and EV bodywork is often made of light plastics, which require a different repair method than traditional metal panels. Many first-time EV owners are unaware of these added complexities, so technicians may need to manage expectations about how long a job will take. For most repairs, the battery must be powered down before work can begin and powered up again when the job is done, taking up to an hour in total. In some cases, the battery must be removed altogether and reinstalled after the repair, which can add up to four hours of labour time. These issues, combined with the costs of training and specialist equipment, demonstrate that working with electric and hybrid vehicles comes with unique challenges that must be overcome as we collectively move towards a greener car industry. One business that has seen the benefits of EV training is ACM Garage, which is based in Torquay. After achieving Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications - which took just a week to complete - technicians at ACM can work on any vehicle that comes into the garage. They report that this gives customers extra confidence, knowing that the technicians have the right knowledge to do a good job. Although many electric vehicles are still under warranty, drivers are already looking for garages that offer EV servicing and repairs when the warranty period ends. The team at ACM knows they will never have to turn anyone away and can start building an EV customer base early— their qualifications guarantee a secure future in the motor trade. In summary, the prevalence of electric vehicles is only going to increase. The National Grid predicts that there will be 37.4 million EVs on the road by 2050, with millions fewer combustion engine vehicles requiring the service of mechanical technicians. Increased demand for electric vehicle repairs and maintenance presents many new opportunities. If you have the budget and the inclination to start this process, there’s no time like the present to future-proof your business and ensure you’re ahead of the curve when the EV boom hits. There’s no time like the present to future-proof your business and ensure you’re ahead of the curve when the EV boom hits ”
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