Garages need ‘necessary skills’ for EVs, says LKQ boss

This comes as the SMMT reports record electric vehicle sales

Garages need ‘necessary skills’ for EVs, says LKQ boss

Independent garages must be prepared for a likely surge in demand for electric vehicle repairs as cars leave their original warranty periods.

That’s the message from Kevan Wooden, CEO at LKQ UK and Ireland, who was responding to the news that UK used car transactions hit record levels in 2023.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that transactions grew 5.1 percent last year, with 7,242,692 used cars changing hands.

Crucially, electric vehicle sales almost doubled, up by 90.9 percent to 118,973.

That said, EVs still represent a tiny 1.6 percent of the market, with used car sales dominated by petrol (4,079,555 transactions) and diesel (2,746,911).

Kevan Wooden said: “EVs were high on the agenda throughout 2023 – with extensive investment in charging infrastructure and net zero technology projects, not to mention the ZEV Mandate announcement. It’s encouraging to see this reflected by continued demand in the used vehicle market, with BEV sales almost doubling year on year.

“With more and more EVs in their fourth and fifth years of ownership, it’s vital that independent garages have the necessary skills, technology and access to vehicle data to create value for drivers beyond the warranty period.”

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