A new report suggests that owners of electric vehicles could soon be in for a nasty increase in repair costs and downtime.
One of the main issues facing a future filled with more EVs is the lack of third-party garages willing to take on the repair of battery-powered cars. Independent workshops are necessary for affordable EV ownership, with their charges being significantly lower than those of franchise outlets.
Independents Wonder When To Invest
Although service costs may be much lower, with EVs lacking the number of moving parts present in an internal combustion engine vehicle, there are other costs that must be factored in. When things go wrong, electric cars are inherently more complicated to put right than their fossil-fueled counterparts.
Garages wanting to accommodate the influx of EVs will require heavy investment to cater to new tech. Many modern EVs come with 400- and 800-volt systems that could prove to be deadly if mishandled by untrained technicians. In addition to electric shock, there’s also the risk posed by electric vehicle fires – if the lithium batteries were to enter thermal runaway in the event of a fire, the resultant blaze could be challenging to put out without specialist equipment and training.
See Also: The Shipping World Isn’t Ready For The Risk EVs Pose, And Here’s Why
Existing independent shop owners are left with a chicken and egg conundrum on their hands. In a country like Italy, which has a low rate of EV adoption and poor charging infrastructure, garage owners like Roberto Petrilli are unwilling to invest. For his shop, it would require an expenditure of €30,000 ($32,600) for the necessary equipment needed to service and repair EVs.
A Severe Shortage Of Electricians
There’s another problem, too. Reuters reports that there’s a major shortage of automotive electricians around the globe. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the U.S. will require 80,000 electricians through 2031, a number that includes EV technicians. Similarly, Australia’s Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce envisions a need for 9,000 EV technicians by 2030. And, in the UK, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) says that while 20 percent of automotive technicians have received some form of EV training, only 1 percent can do little more than routine servicing.
The shortage of both affordable independent garages and skilled labor means that the choke hold that franchise workshops have will push up repair costs and waiting times for EVs. Ultimately, it will also increase insurance prices.
See Also: Tesla Owner’s $23K Rear End Collision Bill Shows EV Repairs Can Be Shockingly High
UK used car warranty provider Warrantywise told Reuters that a one-year warranty on a Tesla Model 3 costs more than three times it does on a similarly-priced combustion-powered car. The reason is the lack of an alternative to the expensive franchise dealers when it comes to repairs.
Higher insurance and warranty costs will make EV ownership more expensive for anyone considering moving to electric. In addition, a potential lack of technicians available to repair EV charge points will increase wait times as well as frustration for those who have already switched.
Hope On The Horizon
Companies around the globe are now investing millions of dollars into training, as EVs pick up more steam for consumers.
Tesla is already running courses around the U.S., targeting community collages to train attendees in EV repair. The company also provides training for independent shops. Siemens is investing $30 million into a program to train U.S. technicians in the maintenance and installation of EV chargers. Meanwhile, the UK’s IMI wants the government to allocate £15 million ($18.8 million) towards helping independent workshops get up to speed with their EV training.
But, for the short-to-medium term at least, experts agree that EV repairs will start getting more expensive while the waiting times will be longer.
