May_2022 - 22

Addressing
hybrids, extended
range, and full
battery electric
vehicles
As propulsion systems continue to accelerate
the move to more electrification, the service
industry will benefit by maintaining a higher
sense of awareness on these advanced
platform vehicles.
By Scott Brown, Technical Editor
I
n recent times, most of the auto manufacturers
have now pledged to move more of their fleet
to electrified platforms with an end goal of 100
percent battery electric vehicles (BEV) production
slated for the future. What this means is soon we
will be witnessing an accelerated ramp up of new
offerings into the marketplace with some of these
vehicles landing in aftermarket service bays very
soon. Now some aftermarket service providers are
already addressing hybrids, extended range, and
full battery electric vehicles in their service facilities
today. Even if you haven't seen these vehicles
yet, you may want to consider taking a deeper look
at what this technology shift might mean for you
and your business and learn what you can do to
prepare. If you haven't read it yet, take a look at
the article I wrote on this subject back in 2020:
www.VehicleServicePros.com/21150871.
ADDRESSABLE MARKET
Here in the United States, the first electrified platform to enter
the market was the Honda Insight which occurred in December
1999. A little over half a year later, Toyota brought the Generation
1 Prius to the U.S. and the rest of the world. To date, the Toyota
Prius is the best-selling hybrid electric vehicle. Although the U.S.
vehicle market only has about a 3 percent saturation, this can
22 PTEN MAY 2022 www.VehicleServicePros.com
p Figure 1 - Tesla vehicle undergoing diagnostic tests
vary greatly depending on your local market. Here in Southern
California, the hybrid/electric vehicle market is close to 6 percent.
In my shop we see hybrid and electric vehicles frequently
and have been providing a range of services on these for over
a decade. Some of my industry colleagues have been servicing
hybrids longer than that. For example, Carolyn Coquillette at
Luscious Garage in San Francisco started her business from the
ground up focusing primarily on hybrid vehicles.
GENERAL SERVICE
Although hybrid vehicles introduce several complexities to the
vehicle, in my opinion one shouldn't be afraid of them. Many of
the maintenance services these electrified platforms require isn't
overly complex. In fact, with a basic overview and a discipline
to follow service information procedures, one can competently
address most needs on these vehicles. However, it is strongly suggested
that you look at these vehicles from a business professionals'
perspective and commit to providing professional-grade service
and repair to these vehicles.
TRAINING, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE
As mentioned earlier, one can position their business to capture
more of the market (and market potential) by preparing their
staff for the challenges they may face. There is a plethora excellent
resources one can leverage to elevate their level of service.
(See sidebar) In order to assess the knowledge and skills needed
to provide excellent service can be based upon numerous factors.
One example would be to look at what some of the automobile
manufacturers specify for their service providers and another
might be based upon standards that are being established at some
of the colleges and universities around the country. The National
Science Foundation has awarded several grants over the past
several years to address the changes in education and minimum
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/21150871 http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
May_2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May_2022
