The automotive industry is well prepared for maintenance and repairs of electric vehicles and has been qualifying its employees in high voltage technology since 2010. In 2013, this also started being part of the scope of training for the profession of automotive mechatronics specialists. “It is our job to sell those cars that are provided by automotive manufacturers and to carry out maintenance and repairs for the cars that drive on our roads. You can find a growing number of electric vehicles among them”, says Niklas Burmester, Managing Director of the Saarländischer Kfz-Verband (Saarland-based Automotive Association).
New business area
As a consequence, an expansion of the workshop portfolio via “eCar-Service” offers the companies a chance to expand their own customer base. “The “eCar-Service” is a useful addition for both independent workshops, and, above all, for brand-bound companies, especially after experiencing a lot of pressure due to the introduction of agency systems that several car manufacturers initiated“, explains Jeffrey Kilian, Chairperson of the ZDK-Bundesfachgruppe Freie Werkstätten (German Federation for Motor Trades and Repairs – Federal Specialist Group for Independent Workshops).
Martin Bitsch, Managing Director at Bliesgau-Garage, organized a panel discussion in his company in order to highlight the importance of electric mobility. Industry experts discussed the question what challenges electric mobility has been facing and what impact that will have on automotive companies. Due to new offers in the areas of individual mobility like car subscriptions, electric bikes and also “eCar-Service“, automotive companies have more and more developed into service providers for mobility and have received the chance to position themselves in the market.
All the participants agreed that battery-driven vehicles will play a crucial role in the area of individual mobility. It was, however, discussed whether enough energy would be available for all the vehicles and how they would be recharged. Udo Schmidt, State Guild Director of Electrical Trades in the Saarland, was of the opinion that house owners currently had a clear advantage. Nonetheless, he thought that power generated from renewable energies and the recharging infrastructure would be increased with big public charging areas alongside country roads. Armin Gehl representing Autoregion e. V. was of the opinion that electric vehicles would be used more for urban mobility and that they did not really make sense for long distances.
In the framework of the panel discussion, the Bliesgau-Garage received the additional badge “eCar-Service” as first automotive company in the Saarland. Thus, the company will be able to position itself in a broader way and will offer garage service to electric vehicles for all brands.
The ZDK has launched a new website where automotive garages are listed that offer professional services around electric mobility. Companies in specialized tyre trade should become active and apply for being added to the list.
