Electric vehicle (EV) sales are still growing. The power grid keeps getting greener all the time. Tire manufacturers are working on new compounds to help make EV tires last longer. The materials used to build these tires are being looked at with an ecological eye.
Overall, the downside of electric vehicles is less now than it was five years ago.
I visited a tire and full-service shop on Cape Cod in Massachusetts last week.
My reason for stopping in was to inform the owner that a new Massachusetts technician training program may pay for two weeks of EV training at my company, Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC).
The shop’s owner was off that day, so I talked with Steve, the store’s manager. He was polite and to the point. He said, “My boss hates EVs, but he is a realist, so I will let him know.”
This shop works on a lot of high-end European cars.
Many owners of Mercedes and BMW vehicles made the switch to the Tesla Model S over 10 years ago and the shop started losing good customers. It is now undeniable that EVs are not going away.
You may think whatever you want about EV owners, the cars, Elon Musk or any objection you personally feel. I have my own biases, too.
My company is going on 48 years old. In that time frame, we have all seen a lot of changes. (If you are under 30 years old, find an old-timer and we can fill you in.)
Today, your customers are looking at their total cost of ownership and some will come to the conclusion that an EV will cost less to own.
That may not be your view. If so, that will be a customer lost — unless you can service their vehicle.
Recently, a light duty fleet operator told his technicians that the company’s owner and board of directors had decided to order 40 new electric trucks.
He hired ACDC to prepare his shop for the GM Silverado EV, Rivian R1T, Ford Lightning and Ford E-Transit.
Over the last month, ACDC’s technician, Chris Bray, and I have been studying, scanning and preparing to add these four vehicle types to our list. Were we surprised at this? No. Are you?
In some applications, electric vehicles will save fleets money in the long term.
Do you have fleet customers? If not, why? When action at your shop is slow, fleets can fill in those days.
When I was in school, we had field trips. That was a while ago and they still exist.
Maybe you have allowed local high school students to visit your business on a field trip?
The field trip I want you to go on starts with you adding the app PlugShare to your phone and learning how to use it.
If you have trouble figuring it out, ask a 14-year-old.
Then find the nearest location that’s listed in the app. Stop by as many times as you can and talk to EV owners while their vehicles are plugged in. This “market research” will be up close and personal.
I do this often, especially when I am traveling beyond the range of the ACDC electric car or motorcycle I am driving that day.
Here are a few questions to ask, in no particular order:
- "Are you renting this EV?”
- “Do you like it?”
- “Have you had any problems with it?”
- “How long does it take to charge your EV?”
- “How long have you owned this EV?”
- “Did you own a hybrid before this vehicle?”
- “When the EV needs service, do you use a dealer or Tesla service center?”
You may not want to identify yourself as a shop owner. That is up to you.
An honest opening statement may be that you are interested in buying an EV.
This type of research is very helpful in educating yourself and you may learn what you can offer to these owners.
Is getting into EV service for you? I can tell you that the business exists.
And there clearly is a lack of well-trained technicians who are capable of the service and repair of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric cars and trucks.
Is this the time to offer EV service or have you waited so long that your competitors are already there?
