Change is tough, but a lot of good can come from it. We’ve seen this repeatedly as disruptors redefine and restore balance to industries. EVs will cause a big shift, complete with changes to policy and procedure. However, as electric vehicles go mainstream, there will still be plenty to do in dealership service departments. EVs need maintenance and repairs despite dealer concerns that EVs require less maintenance than other vehicles because they have fewer parts and no need for engine-oil changes or regular service visits. For many dealerships, the service department’s bread-and-butter revenue mainly comes from work involving alignments, brakes, electrical systems, suspensions and tires. So it will help worried dealers to remember what’s on EVs: brakes, electrical systems, tires, steering systems and suspensions. Lube, oil and filter services have been the entry point for most service departments. Still, because EV batteries are heavy, EVs weigh more than otherwise similar vehicles with gas-powered engines. The weight wears out tires faster. Since EV tires need to be rotated and replaced more often, tire maintenance and replacement will be the new entry point for EVs. Additionally, EV repairs are usually expensive. History tells us that new technologies need an ironout period, and EVs are no exception. Components break, and batteries have issues. As the vehicles evolve, there will be new opportunities for service. Starting with Ford, manufacturers seem to be giving the impression that they want to copy Tesla’s methods for handling repairs and eliminate the labor rate or parts markups they currently pay when dealers are involved. Doing so would increase their EVs and the Service Department By Justin Carr, Vice President, Warranty Processing Company 16 Illinois Automobile Dealer News
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