Electric vehicles are on the rise, and auto shops that want to stay in business need to adapt. That means investing in specialized training and equipment and collaborating with manufacturers to help customers. The future of EV repair looks promising.
For starters, a shop should make sure its workspace is safe for EV work. That means getting rid of clutter and allowing for ample room for charging stations, specialized tools, and other essential gear. It also needs to have the right EV equipment, including a category III volt-ohm meter that can read up to 1,000 volts and an insulated hand tool.
Technicians should also learn how EVs operate, including their specialized components and high-voltage systems. They should be familiar with the manufacturer’s emergency response documentation, which explains how to disable a car and locate its key parts.
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Finally, technicians need to know how to handle EV batteries and other sensitive parts. They shouldn’t use metal objects near them, and they should avoid baking the batteries in hot temperatures. And if they have to, they should ensure that the battery’s connectors are properly torqued to the right specifications, says Van Batenburg.
When choosing an electric car shop, look for one with a positive reputation. And if a shop pushes you to buy certain services, be wary. That’s a red flag that it doesn’t put its clients’ interests first. And it could be a sign that the shop isn’t seasoned enough to fix electric cars.