Aftermarket manufacturers look to EV future

THE Automotive Innovation Centre (AIC) and Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) this week launched a new EV initiative the duo says will directly benefit the automotive aftermarket industry.

The event highlighted the need for early insight into potential repairability issues that may face an increasingly electrified industry, while also touching on the future of aftermarket parts and accessories development – an area in which both parties are substantially invested.

Speaking to GoAuto at the Melbourne-based event, AAAA chief executive officer, Stuart Charity, said it was important to understand the role of both servicing and aftermarket parts and accessories creation will offer businesses in the short- to medium-term.

“One of the things we’re very interested in learning from the two vehicles here (a Ford F-150 Lightning and Polestar 2) is the wear profile of certain components as a vehicle ages,” he explained.

“People assume there are far fewer moving parts on an EV meaning they will require less servicing, and broadly speaking that is true. But we believe that certain components are likely to wear more quickly than others, especially suspension components, brakes and tyres, owing to the increase in weight.

“In terms of repairability, many of the same sort of diagnostic techniques that are employed on ICE vehicles are used on EVs. But anecdotally we are hearing of a lot more electronic failures, mainly related to the fact the technology is so new and brought so quickly to market.

“We’ll also find as these vehicles age that battery conditioning systems will become more critical, and that these systems will become an important part of the regular service and maintenance schedule, particularly when these vehicles enter the used-car market.”

Mr Charity said that while there is an assumption that EVs require less time to service, he said it is already apparent that diagnostic time – as opposed to ‘wrench time’ – will level out as vehicles become more complex.

“There will probably be more technician time, and less time spent changing parts. The mix will change a fair bit, but the overall ticket value of an electric vehicle will be roughly the same over the life of the car. We think it may be only a 25 per cent difference overall,” he detailed.

Interestingly, and despite the newness of the technologies entering the market, Mr Charity said he believes the profile of repairers will stay much the same as it is, with independent and franchise workshops already taking steps to “ramp up” for EV maintenance.

“We don’t see that the profile of repairer will change too much. Most current repairers will ultimately repair and service EV and hybrid vehicles. In fact, many are already servicing first- and second-generation hybrids,” he said.

“What we may see happen is that a dedicated EV bay or two, depending on the size of the workshop, will become the norm, with the appropriate tooling and technicians installed to handle the workload.

“Don’t forget, we will still have ICE vehicles on the road for a very long time to come – probably for all of our working careers. But just as we’ve seen as ICE models have become more complex, it will take a different skill set to diagnose and maintain electric vehicles – and that brings with it an opportunity to attract a different calibre of technician to the industry.”

Mr Charity said that the shift toward electrification will also bring about changes in the way aftermarket parts and accessories are developed. As vehicles change, so too will consumer tastes and expectations, bringing with them a new range of components that better complement an electrified lifestyle.

“The AIC – particularly in acquiring these two electric vehicles – is showing how it will work with the industry to look at new technologies and ensure that any accessories or components are fully integrated into a vehicles look and function,” he said.

“Australia is a very unique landscape, and we enjoy a unique lifestyle, and there is no reason we can’t continue to enjoy that lifestyle in an electric vehicle.

“We are global leaders in developing four-wheel drive and commercial vehicle parts and accessories – it’s a massive industry – and I know that for a lot of people those requirements will continue, even when they’re driving a fully electric vehicle.

“It is one of the reasons we worked so hard to get the F-150 Lightning. We want to understand the limitations, we want to see how the vehicle will perform in a range of environments and temperatures and to see how the vehicle can be modified to fulfil the expectations of commercial and recreational customers.”

The Ford F-150 Lightning and Polestar 2 will be on display at the Australian Auto Aftermarket and Collision Repair Expo in Melbourne from April 11 – 13.