With more OEMs committing significant resources to the electric vehicles (EV) sector — and their overall market share reaching historic highs in the U.S. — now is the time to make sure your repair shop is set up for success when it comes to servicing EVs.
While most EVs have far fewer moving parts than their internal combustion engine counterparts, they still will need serviced. Repair shops that fail to prepare for the growth in EV and hybrid car usage may hurt their bottom line.
In addition to vital personal protective equipment and important tools needed to work on EVs, there are a few pieces of shop equipment that are necessary to serve this market.
Adequate Power
Charging capability is a must when servicing EVs. While most shops only need a Level 1 or Level 2 charger for customer vehicles, this still could require more electricity than is currently available. It’s important to consider the draw of other equipment and power tools being used simultaneously in the repair bays. An electrical engineer can examine the building to find out how much power is needed to operate all of the equipment within it, along with EV chargers.
Charging Station
Once you’re certain the building can handle the electrical load, a charging station should be installed. While shops won’t necessarily need to fully charge EVs, they will need to provide drivers with enough battery power to get to work or home. Consider charging speeds, ease of use and cost-effectiveness when selecting the right charging station for your shop.
Vehicle Lift
EVs generally weigh 20 to 30% more than their ICE counterparts, mostly due to the weight of their batteries. In addition, a larger undercar access space is needed for battery removal. Having a lift that can handle the weight of EV batteries and is wide enough for them is a must. Look for models that have at least 67 inches between lift posts, as well as low profile arms (avoid scissor lifts). A clear area and level floor are needed underneath the lift for a battery table.
Battery Lifting Table
A robust lift table for battery management is essential for performing service on EVs. There is a wide variety available on the market that range significantly in price, depending on several factors. When making a selection, consider whether your shop needs manual operation or electric operation, as well as ideal capacity requirements, lift speed and lifting height.