The Garage 295

33 focus Hybrid
and the point is clear, vehicle
manufacturers are investing
heavily in hybrid and battery
electric vehicle technology
and it is time to follow suit.
“The biggest threat to the
independent aftermarket is
also its greatest opportunity,”
explains White. “The
greatest risk during this
period of transition is that
independent workshops
slip behind, and customers
have no option but to service
their vehicles at main
dealers. While we see some
switched-on garages and
younger technicians getting
involved with hybrid and EV
training, we have a significant
amount of data showing
a serious industry-wide
deficiency in hybrid and EV
knowledge and skills.”
Many garages do not see
the required investment in
training or equipment as
worthwhile, believing there
to be very few of these vehicles
on the road. White
suggests the numbers tell
a different story. Industry
predictions suggest a shortsighted
approach to the hybrid
and EV market may
be damaging to workshops
in the long term. While optimistic
about the aftermarket’s
ability to adapt, White
cautions workshops to approach
the opportunity with
the right frame of mind and
an awareness of the dangers
involved with high-voltage
systems.
While the risks of working
with hybrid and EV vehicles
can be safely mitigated,
much like conventional
vehicles, safety training is
critical. For those wishing
to test the waters, he points
out that technicians can be
taught how to make the vehicle
safe, without the more
intensive training on servicing
the actual high voltage
system. This means if
a workshop has one or two
technicians who can isolate
the vehicle, the rest of the
team can safely work on
other systems like steering
and suspension or air conditioning.
“Many workshops are
turning away hybrid vehicles,
even when the problem
is unrelated to the high-voltage
system,” explains White.
“While this approach may
be sustainable now, we’re
at the turning point. Even if
workshops aren’t willing to
completely commit, having
a few staff qualified to make
the vehicle safe opens other
servicing opportunities.
Those who start working on
hybrid and electric vehicles
now will be ahead of the
curve, gaining customers,
experience and a reputation
for the work. It could be a
make or break difference in
the coming decade.”
White explains the Auto
Education Academy, Euro
Car Parts dedicated training
platform offers several appropriate
courses, including
GED 13 – an IMI Level
2 Award in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle Operation and Maintenance.
The course teaches
technicians how to maintain
and repair hybrid vehicles
but not the hybrid or electric
powertrain itself. Technicians
learn about the dangers
of high-voltage systems
and the differences between
HEV, PHEV, EREV and EV.
It also covers the various
approaches used by manufactures
to power down the
high-voltage system and the
safety equipment required.
For those looking to repair
and replace hybrid vehicle
parts, a more detailed
and comprehensive course
is required. GED 14 is an
IMI Level 3 Award in Hybrid
Vehicle System Repair and
Replacement, giving technicians
the skills and knowledge
to effectively service
and repair EV and hybrid
systems. This course lays
the foundation for further
advanced training.
Both courses can be
booked through Auto Education
Academy. It’s free to
join, and repairers can login
to their own skills portal
to view the content of more
than 75 different courses.
Users can also assess their
strengths and identify weaknesses
in nine key areas:
petrol engines, diesel engines,
engine management
and emissions, vehicle electronics,
air-conditioning,
brakes, powertrain, tyres,
steering and suspension, as
well as hybrid and electrical
cars. Results are automatically
added to an interactive
skills diagram; which technicians
can compare with
the national average to gauge
where they stand.
“Users can see for themselves
the serious hybrid
and EV knowledge deficiency
that exists within the UK,”
explains White. “Anyone can
go online and complete the
skills overview; it’s a great
way to understand your personal
strengths and weaknesses.
It can be a useful
tool for managers looking to
assess the core competencies
of their staff or potential
new hires. The data we have
suggests knowledge about
hybrid and electric vehicles
lags far behind other core
areas, a growing concern we
hope to change.”
If a workshop has questions
about hybrid or electric
vehicles, White notes the
programme features a technical
helpline. Accessible
online or over the phone,
it provides fast responses
to troubleshooting, repair,
diagnostics and technical
information queries on any
vehicle, from any manufacturer.
Workshop Solutions offers
four safety equipment packages
for workshops working
with electrified vehicles.
Workshop Pack, Vehicle
Safety Pack, Personnel Safety
Pack, Safety Tools Pack.
There is also a Hybrid Master
Safety Pack, which includes
all four of the above.
“I can understand the
trepidation and hesitation
we are seeing across the aftermarket”
concludes White.
“Repairers are focused
on looking after their current
clients and building a
business around what they
know. However, things are
changing, and we have a widening
gap between vehicle
technology and skills within
the aftermarket. We need to
address this shortfall and
capitalise on the opportunity
hybrid and electric vehicles
present to the independent
aftermarket.”
The Garage View:
It is so important to maintain
skill levels and to continually
invest in training your
staff. Future proofing your
business by understanding
and embracing the latest
technologies and methods
will give you the ability
to offer a wider variety of
services while also increasing
employee performance and
motivational levels.
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