Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_October_2019 - 8

EDITOR'S NOTE

Are you all-in
for electric?

David Brierley
Managing Editor

Some believe hybrid vehicles are just a
stepping stone on the way to a simpler,
streamlined electric vehicle.
By Sara Scullin, Editor
Sara@VehicleServicePros.com

ll-electric vehicles aren't taking the
industry by storm ... but they aren't
going away, either.
I was researching new vehicles on the market the other day, and I was scanning electric models. My curiosity was piqued. And I
wanted to get a sense of 'Could I see myself
going electric?' Like many consumers, I like
the idea of cutting out the gas run (and prices)
and reducing my carbon footprint. But then I
also had to consider things like cost, capacity,
and actual infrastructure for charging.
After a little while, my search target shifted from electric to hybrid. New hybrid models continue to be introduced to the market,
after all. They seem the perfect compromise,
right? Allowing drivers to go forth with one
foot in the future while still retaining some
of the creature comforts. Not so fast.
In a November 2018 article in Bloomberg,
titled, "The Plug-In Hybrid Car Hits Its
Stride, Just in Time to Die," Kyle Stock proposed that hybrids with their two or more
distinct power types were and still are complicated, and they are really just the "training wheels" in the industry's preparation
for electric vehicles. Though the title of this
article skews a bit dramatic, the data backs up
the claim: since 2016, battery electric vehicle
sales have fast been pulling away from plug-in
hybrid sales - up to 300,000 battery electric
units sold in Q3 2018 compared with 150,000
units of plug-in hybrids sold.
In fact, love it or hate it, the Tesla Model
S was the best-selling luxury car in the U.S.
for 2017 ... and by a wide margin.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR REPAIR?

Whether we're talking about the "half-way"
hybrid or all-electric vehicles (which aren't

PTEN

OCTOBER 2019

VehicleServicePros.com

too common of a sight in shops ... yet), the
repair community should take note. Hybrid
models still require regular maintenance and
care: transmission, brakes, batteries, TSB
checks, and more. Although hybrid batteries
last much longer (average 10-15 years), they
are not invincible.
Electric requires less maintenance than
their counterparts with internal combustion engines. With all-electric, oil changes
go away, as do the spark plug replacements
and fuel filter changes, but these vehicles still
require regular service from qualified technicians who can adhere to maintenance schedules, including tire checks and fluid levels.
We're still at a point where, as a repair pro,
you can feel out this market and position
your shop and your team as early providers
of hybrid and electric services. Familiarize
yourself with the ins and outs of electric
vehicles, seek out the right qualifications,
and take specialized courses and training,
including learning about battery care and
regenerative braking systems. For example,
SAE International is hosting a five-day class
in December in Michigan called 'Hybrid
and Electric Vehicle Engineering Academy;'
in it they will cover topics like hybrid components and architectures, system design
and development considerations, verification, and validation considerations. I'm sure
there are a number of similar programs across
the country.
More consumers are turning to hybrids
and even electric for the cleaner run,
higher gas mileage, and (ideally) less
maintenance. Adding these services
can help address a growing need, not to
mention get new customers and cars in
the bay.

Tyler Fussner
Assistant Editor

Emily Markham
Assistant Editor

Kayla Oschmann
Assistant Editor

Barry Hoyland
Contributing Editor
PTEN Editorial Advisory Board
Technicians
John Harris,
Brooks-Huff Goodyear, Timonium MD
Eric Moore,
DeMary Trucks, Columbus, OH
Lou Fort,
K.A.R.S. Inc., Huntingburg, IN
Shop Owners
Phil Fournier,
Phil's Auto Clinic, Hemet, CA
JD Goad,
Goad's Body Shop, Lexington, VA
Edwin Hazzard,
Southeast Mobile Tech, Goose Creek, SC
Barry Hoyland,
VSSCA, Camarillo, CA
Pete Rudloff,
Pete's Garage Inc., Newark, DE
Equipment Manufacturers
Chad Schley,
Schley Products/SP Tools
Jim O'Hara,
Clore Automotive

http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_October_2019

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