An EV/Hybrid Specialist Garage?

[crosseyedlion]

Hi all

Looking at reopening my garage in the next year or 2, but currently working on a business plan.

I'd be daft not to use my electric vehicle safety & functional training gained at a large midlands based OEM.

My question is - are there many garages that specialise in electric cars? Do you seek out/would you seek out a specialist independent? (remember block-exemption rules mean a manufacturers warranty is not invalidated, so perfect for leased cars)

Putting the feelers out atm, I don't have anything to advertise.

[crosseyedlion]

jamoor said:

Well, out of interest what maintenance do you have to do that any other trained mechanic cannot?

Its mostly safety in dealing with High Voltage automotive systems. Understanding the different components and diagnosing.

In reality, any garage even servicing an EV shouldn't undertake the work unless all their staff have been correctly trained in HV systems.

They still have cooling systems, brakes, suspension etc...

[crosseyedlion]

otolith said:

I suppose the question for the punter is "what will a specialist know that another mechanic won't, which will benefit me" - as opposed to what they know which will stop the mechanics getting electrocuted.

An interesting way to look at it, I'll bare it in mind. Thanks.

[crosseyedlion]

98elise said:

Look at the servicing for a Tesla, its almost non existent and not even required to maintain the warranty. The service plan is wildly expensive for what it is, so should be easy money

Good call.

Looking at the Tesla site the prices are shockingly expensive:
https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/support/maintenance-pl...

And only 7 service centres serving approx over 10000 cars (1428 per centre!)

The issues being updating the service logs and the fact that I imagine most owners purchase a service pack with the car?! (Maybe some Tesla owners can advise/share thoughts?)

Edited by crosseyedlion on Wednesday 29th March 16:26

[crosseyedlion]

Thanks all for your food for thought.

I've been communicating with Tesla's customer service about parts ordering channels for independent workshops and updating service histories. Its a bit like talking to a potato.

"All apologies but Tesla has no official independent network of authorised repairers or sellers of Tesla vehicles in any country.

Tesla doesn’t use an official dealership network either as we rely on wholly owned Sales and Service points so there is no way of becoming a dealership at this time."

This is a: not an answer and b: not supplying parts and access to service history updates would be against EU (soon to be UK) block exemption rules.

I'll keep chipping away at it...