Electric and hybrid vehicles 36 www.aftermarketonline.net SEPTEMBER 2024 current staff. Then there’s the time element. Garages are notoriously time-poor, with a constant stream of cars entering and leaving workshops. However, the business opportunity must be considered against the time commitment. While people’s working patterns may need to be shifted to accommodate training, the long-term benefits of being able to work on EVs far outweigh the stress of covering people’s shifts on a few occasions. Finally, the cost of equipping workshops with EV-related equipment is a consideration, especially considering only 44% of new UK light vehicle sales are expected to be zero-emission battery electric vehicles by 2030. Technicians remain uncertain of the EV demand and are left with the difficult decision of purchasing these specialised tools and undertaking upskilling without an immediate guaranteed return on what would be a significant investment. Adapting to the EV boom Despite this uncertainty, many industry experts predict that by 2027, EVs will be comparable to or cheaper to buy and operate than internal combustion vehicles, cultivating an advanced automotive aftermarket industry. Therefore, adapting aftermarket practices to this growth will be beneficial to business in the long term. Technicians and other aftermarket service providers have a significant opportunity to maintain their automotive market share by acquiring service business from out-of-warranty car owners, particularly as EV sales continue to grow. According to EV Solutions, EVs require a service check twice a year, especially for tyre rotations, vehicle inspections, and a service check. While fluid maintenance and mechanical repairs are less frequent in EVs, there will still be instances of physical damage, electrical concerns, collision repairs, and battery servicing. These services and repairs can also be relatively quick and rarely plug up repair shops for days on end, unlike a major engine or transmission overhaul or replacement. In saving the garage time, this should further incentivise technicians to pivot into the EV service space. Collaborative solutions To support the nationwide transition, the automotive industry needs to work together to equip garages with the tools, talent, and training to thrive. This collective support can be from large manufacturers and industry bodies, all the way through to technicians and drivers themselves. This includes advocating for apprenticeship programmes, providing a direct pathway for young people into the industry and arming them from the get-go to work on EVs. We have already seen efforts to attract apprentices to the automotive industry grow, with advertising for apprentices in automotive industry have more than doubled since 2021. Further to this, incentives and grants help to encourage more independent garages to invest in the necessary tools and training programmes. Manufacturers also play a crucial role. By providing accessible technical information and offering training programs, they can help bridge these gaps in knowledge. Additionally, they must develop innovative solutions that solve the problems with stock EV parts, leveraging the opportunity to improve on early OEM designs. Whether the deadline is 2030 or 2035, as we move closer, we need strong collaboration so garages, technicians, and drivers can remain confident in meeting the demands of a greener future. Research by Autodata indicates that its online platform receives the most searches from automotive technicians for hybrid vehicles in comparison to EVs. Autodata said its analysis offers valuable insight into which vehicles encounter the most mechanical problems, enabling motorists to make informed decisions when purchasing their hybrid or EV vehicles. In the UK, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota Yarris come out on top. The top 10 list includes: Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Yaris, Toyota C-HR, Toyota Corolla, Ford Puma, Fiat 500/500C, Kia Niro, Mercedes-Benz C Class, Hyundai Ioniq and Toyota Auris. In the EV segment, the Nissan Leaf is the undisputed leader, with over 20,000 searches carried out by UK garages, according to Autodata. The Renault Zoe, Tesla Model 3, Kia e-Niro and the Jaguar I-Pace complete the top five most-repaired electric models. Analysis reveals similar trends across Europe. As for hybrids, the Toyota brand also features prominently in the overall rankings. The Toyota Yaris hybrid dominates as the hybrid vehicle requiring the most repairs in four countries (France, UK, Germany and Italy). Hybrids top the list of most repaired vehicles in Europe Technicians and other aftermarket service providers have a significant opportunity to maintain their automotive market share
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