We bet you’re not hearing about electric vehicles (EVs) for the first time. That’s because they’ve been on the roads for over a decade now! And with the growing concerns for climate change, you will undoubtedly see more of them. Â
Many governments and manufacturers are already motivated to switch to electric vehicles from international combustion engine (ICE) power. For this reason, your auto repair shop will want to consider installing an EV garage in the near future.
But why are electric vehicles so popular all of a sudden?
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Top 4 benefits of electric vehicles
1) Environmental impact
Transportation is one of the largest sources of pollution in the United States. It has a major impact on climate change and global warming. Emerging vehicle technologies, especially EVs, can play a key role in reversing these effects. They eliminate the use of gasoline and diesel, creating fewer pollutants and contributing to a cleaner environment. Â
2) Carbon footprint
Electric vehicles also leave a lower carbon footprint when compared to regular gasoline-powered cars. The electricity for EVs comes from different sources, including fossil fuels and clean renewable energy.Â
3) Reduced gas expenses
Electric vehicles are an expensive investment. But long-term, they can save drivers money. And for daily commuters, those weekly gas bills can add up.
The electric charging component of EVs can significantly reduce this key expense. EnergySage reports that charging an EV costs three times less per mile than a gas-powered vehicle.
4) Charge wherever, whenever
You can charge your electric vehicle at shopping centers, parking garages, or workplaces. These vehicles can recharge at any place where there is a recharging solution. This makes it convenient for buses and trucks that return to one point for long periods. They can easily recharge.
We have established that electric vehicles are good for the environment. They also benefit our health and are convenient to use. Let’s see how you can upgrade your shop so it’s more EV-friendly. Â
Proven strategies to prepare your shop’s EV garage
First things first, look around. Study if there are many electric vehicles in the area where you run your auto repair shop. If the number of local EVs continues to trend up, then it’s time to prepare your EV garage as soon as possible!
You still have plenty of time if you don’t see many electric vehicles in your area. But it’s still advisable to start thinking about your EV garage addition and how you want to set it up. Undeniably, electric vehicles are the future.
Let’s break down some preparation strategies.
1) Continuous learning
One thing that will never change is the need to continuously learn and educate yourself. That goes for auto repair shop owners, your mechanics and other team members. Acquire modern automotive knowledge as you prepare to work on emerging vehicle technologies.
Bring your team up to speed, take relevant courses, and undergo training. Instead of sending your entire team for training and education, send your most experienced team members, so they can learn and get experience. They can come and share their learnings with the rest of your shop.
Once the team builds up relevant knowledge, they will be more confident when dealing with electric vehicles. With proper training, they will not fear the unknown.
Specifically, your team needs:
- Specialized EV safety trainingÂ
- Training on removing and installing high-voltage partsÂ
- Knowledge of EV wiring and how to work with them
2) Safety precautions
With electric vehicles, the safety precautions change too. Bring your team up to speed with the updated safety protocols for working with electric vehicles.Â
Go above and beyond with this process! Working on EVs is far different than the vehicles you’re used to repairing. The voltage can cause severe injuries. Your team will also need to learn about battery apparatus and those unique requirements.
Even though electric vehicle manufacturers ensure adequate safety mechanisms to safeguard against accidents, they might not be 100%. Both you and your EV garage team need advanced education and training.Â
Take this example. A mechanic on your team goes to work on an EV. They wear a metal bracelet every day and forget to take it off before getting started. This minor lapse in attention to detail could cause electrocution! Pay attention to even the smallest details as you kick off training.Â
3) Add new equipment
Before starting work with electric vehicles, you will need to invest in specialized tools and equipment.Â
Key items you will need include:Â
- Specialized high voltage gloves: This will help when they need to disable batteries and handle high-voltage batteries. More than anything, you need to safeguard against electrocution!
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- Safety goggles: Ask your team to wear goggles as they check a vehicle’s voltage.Â
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- Protective suit: Your mechanics should wear a protective suit for vehicles with battery electrolyte chemical leaks.
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- Insulated tools: These tools are designed to prevent shorts or sparks.
- Plastic workbench: For obvious reasons, you can’t use a metal workbench when installing high-voltage parts.
You also will need a charging station in your EV garage, but let’s discuss that separately.Â
» Want more EV preparation tips for your auto repair shop? Read our emerging vehicle technology eBook.
How to set up a charging station
You will need to invest in battery charging equipment for your shop’s EV garage. Electric vehicles need to charge periodically. Of course, you knew that. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend truckloads of money.Â
We come bearing good news! This charging equipment is not crazy expensive and can support charges for multiple electric vehicles. As this market grows more competitive and manufacturers have new charging stations coming out, the prices will drop further.Â
Let’s get back to preparing your shop to work on electric vehicles. There are additional considerations you must take into account.Â
Additional notes to prepare for an EV garage
Clean your space
When you set up the new charging station, you will need extra space. Get rid of the clutter in your auto repair shop to make room for your charging spot, specialized equipment and tools. That will take up the most room in your EV garage. Also ensure that the charging cable is not unintentionally bent.Â
Keep the EV garage dry and warm
When it’s cold, the mileage you will get from a charge reduces. To prevent this, add a garage heater or insulate your garage. This will help you maintain a consistently longer charge.Â
Electric vehicles don’t mesh with cold weather, so prepare your EV garage accordingly. Water and electricity are already a bad combination. You don’t want rain seeping in or leaving big puddles around your garage. Weatherproof your garage so you can keep it dry.Â
Prevent theft
You have expensive vehicles, charging equipment, and other materials in your garage. Properly secure your garage to prevent any stealing or vandalism. Install locks and cameras to secure this location. Get these safety measures in place before you prep your EV garage.Â
What else do you need to consider?
Since you’re working with new vehicles you’re still learning about, study all the manufacturer’s recommendations. You can follow the procedure and instructions outlined in the service manual if you get stuck.Â
Understand the repair processes and methods beforehand. You don’t want to just wing it when working with electric vehicles.Â
There are some basic procedures that the auto manufacturer would want you to know and follow:Â
- Isolate the current to the high-voltage battery by disabling the electric system.Â
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- Electric vehicles come with high-voltage air conditioning compressors. Use the factory oil replacement or an equivalent for those compressors. Using the wrong type of oil will contaminate the entire system, forcing it to shut down.Â
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- The batteries of your electric vehicle need proper care. You can’t store them in extremely hot temperatures.
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- Before you start working on a vehicle, test the voltage. Wait before you get going. This is where you will use your digital volt ohm meter to test components and ensure the voltage is at zero before you start working on it.Â
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- Torque your high-voltage connections to the right specifications. A loose, high-voltage cable could lead to a massive fire.Â
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- Last, but the most important point, understand the role of each cable you’re working with. Cables might vary with each vehicle. Know which cables are damaged and their voltage before you start on the repair order.
» Looking to transform your shop? Discover how AutoLeap can help.
Parting thoughts
Electric vehicles are a trendy topic in the automotive industry. As more drivers adopt EVs, your shop will have to evolve. Part of that evolution will involve preparing an EV garage that specializes in repair work.Â
Stay ahead of competing shops in your area! Use the insights in this blog post and download AutoLeap’s emerging vehicle tech eBook to gain a significant edge.Â
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most vehicles from 1996 models to now are compatible with the OBD-2 scanner. However, if the vehicle is older than 1996, then you might need an OBD-1 scanner.Â
Using an OBD-2 scanner will not hurt your vehicle’s warranty. But if any issues or faults occur because you worked on the car or tuned it, it will void your vehicle’s warranty.Â
OBD-2 scanners with advanced features and functionalities support different makes and models. But you should always check if a certain vehicle is compatible with your scanner.Â
OBD-1 was a scanner used in earlier years. It connects to the console of a car. The OBD-2 is an advanced version of OBD-1 that most modern shops use. It offers better signaling protocols and messaging. It also provides more accurate results.
Software updates are available quarterly, after six months, or annually. Updates may become available online. Advanced updates might come about after a year. Your tool provider can guide you on specific update releases.Â
