Gearing up for electric vehicle repairs

In 2022, just under 98% of the vehicles available in the UK aftermarket for repair and servicing were internal combustion engine (ICE)-only vehicles. The remaining vehicles were either plug-in hybrids or battery-electric vehicles. By 2031, the ICE-only figure is expected to drop to around 88%. According to the SMMT, in 2022, only 1% of vehicles on UK roads were battery-electric – although this seems like a small percentage, it is one of the largest globally. Unsurprisingly, it’s quite clear that the market share of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles will continue to grow, albeit slowly, with the figure expected to rise to around 8% by 2030.

As this transition takes place, how are repair workshops and independent garages gearing up to meet this challenge?

It is ok to put the legislation into place, but without the right infrastructure in place problems arise. Currently many workshops are not geared up for this change. Investments need to be made in the appropriate training and tooling to enable them to repair battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the future. Forward thinking garages are embracing the change and preparing, even specialising in this.

Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket are supporting this change. Find out what the Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket MD, Mark Dolloway had to say on just this: https://www.schaeffler.co.uk/en/news_media/blog/gearing_up_for_electric_vehicle_repairs/