The Garage 353

WORKSHOP
Creating tomorrow’s garages
via today’s refurbishments
As governments worldwide prioritise environmental protection and
sustainable mobility, the automotive industry is witnessing a remarkable
shift towards sustainable technologies, with Electric Vehicles (EVs)
including Hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
at the forefront of this evolution. With the increasing adoption of EVs,
it’s important for garages to adapt to this transformative trend and equip
themselves for servicing these vehicles.
It’s easy to understand why some garages
may feel the upgrades required are a
minefield, with some repair garages being
designed and built in the 1970s and 1980s
and therefore ideal for cars manufactured
during that period. These days, the electric
vehicles requirements for servicing has
added another dimension to the facilities
that garages need to consider, most notably
the impact of these heavier vehicles.
However, this evolution should not be
a daunting one, as it comes with as many
opportunities for garages, as it does
changes. Here are some considerations for
workshop owners looking to welcome EVs
into their service bays.
Out with the old, in with the new
One of the most important changes that
garages should embrace is the specialised
equipment required to service electric
vehicles. These include; suitable vehicle lifts,
battery removal equipment, insulated tools,
tyre and wheel equipment, charging stations
to name a few.
The replacement of unsuitable lifting
equipment, in favour of vehicle lifts which
can accommodate heavier vehicles and
enabling safe access to the batteries
themselves are important. There are
dedicated EV vehicle lifts, which are
designed with no base plates, with the
appropriate tonne capacity and have
special jointed lift pads, allowing improved
clearance without lifting arms getting in the
way of the battery removal. Garages should
invest in equipment that can safely lift and
support the weight of electric vehicles
without causing any damage to their unbody
components.
Specialist equipment will be needed to
remove and replace batteries which can
often weigh more than 400kg. It’s worth
noting that batteries that offer the greatest
distance for the motorist will usually weigh
more than others, due to their increased
storage capacity.
Electric vehicles have different
components, such as electric motors,
and power electronics, that necessitate
specialised tools for repair and
maintenance. A range of insulated tools,
specifically designed for dealing with high
voltage vehicles, ideally stored in adequate
storage / work benching solutions, which
have waste and dispensing cabinets, easily
accessible to the bay the technician is
working on.
Another important consideration is the
need for garages to be able to offer highquality
wheel alignment services. Correct
alignment will increase the efficiency of
an EV’s battery while at the same time
helping to reduce unnecessary wear on the
tyres. This also represents an opportunity
to garage owners to upsell the service to
customers. Some wheel alignment systems
don’t anchor the wheel alignment service
to one bay, giving more flexibility so garages
can maximise the opportunities in the
workshop.
All the solutions, and all under one roof
The solution lies in a comprehensive
refurbishment that adapts the garage to
all current needs and, importantly, helps
to make it future-proof at the same time.
Depending on the current site, this can
mean a redesign in regard to footprint, as
well as to the equipment that’s being used.
Needless to say, the basic replacement
of existing equipment is only part of the
story. Other factors will come into play here,
including those relating to health and safety.
Working on electric vehicles poses unique
safety challenges compared to conventional
cars. There could be issues with the amount
of space that technicians will have in order
to operate safely, for example, and of
course handling high-voltage batteries in
the correct way is vital. In addition, other
considerations (such as investing in charging
stations) can be a great way to attract more
EV customers to the facilities.
With so many important factors needing
to be considered, the sensible option is to
bring in specialists that can handle every
aspect of the refurbishment. This can
include the design of the overall workspace,
for example, the supply and installation
of vehicle lifts and other equipment, the
provision for safe working at all times, the
allocation of adequate space for working
and for having ready access to tools and
so much more. While some companies will
be able to help with some of these factors,
very few will be able to provide everything
in-house.
As EVs become more prevalent on our
roads, workshops that adapt and invest in
their electrification journey will undoubtedly
be better positions to thrive in this exciting
new era of mobility.
26 THE GARAGE
26,Feature EV Article.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:33