All-electric vehicles aren’t taking the industry by storm ... but they aren’t going away, either.
I was researching new vehicles on the market the other day, and I was scanning electric models. My curiosity was piqued. And I wanted to get a sense of ‘Could I see myself going electric?’ Like many consumers, I like the idea of cutting out the gas run (and prices) and reducing my carbon footprint. But then I also had to consider things like cost, capacity, and actual infrastructure for charging.
After a little while my search target shifted from electric to hybrid. New hybrid models continue to be introduced to the market, after all. They seem the perfect compromise, right? Allowing drivers to go forth with one foot in the future while still retaining some of the create comforts. Not so fast.
In a November 2018 article in Bloomberg titled “The Plug-In Hybrid Car Hits Its Stride, Just in Time to Die,” Kyle Stock proposed that hybrids with their two or more distinct power types were and still are complicated, and they are really just the “training wheels” in the industry’s preparation for electric vehicles. Though the title of this article skews a bit dramatic, the data backs up the claim: since 2016 battery electric vehicle sales have fast been pulling away from plug-in hybrid sales — up to 300,000 battery electric units sold in Q3 2018 compared with 150,000 units of plug-in hybrids sold.
In fact, love it or hate it, the Tesla Model S was the best-selling luxury car in the U.S. for 2017 … and by a wide margin.
What does it mean for repair?
Whether we’re talking about the “half-way” hybrid or all-electric vehicles (which aren’t too common of a sight in shops ... yet), the repair community should take note. Hybrid models still require regular maintenance and care: transmission, brakes, batteries, TSB checks, and more. Although hybrid batteries last much longer (average 10-15 years) they are not invincible.
Electric requires less maintenance than their counterparts with internal combustion engines. With all-electric oil changes go away, as do the spark plug replacements and fuel filter changes, but these vehicles still require regular service from qualified technicians who can keep to maintenance schedules, including tire checks and fluid levels.
We’re still at a point where, as a repair pro, you can feel out this market and position your shop and your team as early providers of hybrid and electric services. Familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of electric vehicles, seek out the right qualifications, and take specialized courses and training, including learning about battery care and regenerative braking systems. For example, SAE International is hosting a five-day class in December in Michigan called ‘Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Engineering Academy;’ in it they will cover topics like hybrid components and architectures, system design and development considerations, verification and validation considerations. I’m sure
there are a number of similar programs across
the country.
More consumers are turning to hybrids and even electric for the cleaner run,
higher gas mileage, and (ideally) less stress maintenance. Adding these services can help address a growing need, not to
mention get new customers and cars in
the bay.
