As the number of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids and vehicles equipped with advanced safety features increase on Otago roads, questions are being asked about who will be qualified to repair the rapidly changing technology.
Ministry of Transport statistics show Otago has the fourth-highest rate of EV and hybrid ownership in New Zealand, and there are 412 registered throughout the region at present.
About 17 light EVs are registered in Otago every month — a 476% increase from an average of three registrations per month just three years ago.
Motor Trade Association dealer services manager Tony Everett, of Wellington, said EVs and hybrids were only a small percentage of the current car fleet in New Zealand, but the association was already providing training to keep up with the changes in technology.
"For basic things like tyre replacements, they can still be taken to the local tyre shop.
"But other components will differ and will require specialist knowledge."
He said the automotive repair industry was continually upskilling to deal with new technology as it came along.
"We are offering training at various levels."Independent garages are becoming increasingly involved, but it’s not to say they can address all aspects of an EV. When you’re getting into the drive system, the batteries, the wiring — you do need specialist knowledge."
He said if EVs or hybrids needed repairs, franchise dealers for the respective brands were the first "logical" option.
Collision Repair Association spokesman Neil Pritchard, of Auckland, said the industry was moving to stay ahead of the rapid evolution in car manufacturing.
"With the increase of EVs, self-driving technology, and new types of construction materials, vehicle manufacturing has seen more advancement over the last decade than over the past century.
"While EVs are touted as having a reduced need for mechanical servicing, when it comes to collision repairs, there is a significant increase in the risk and repair complexity to get them back on the road."
Mr Pritchard said EVs had their own set of challenges when damaged in accidents.
"Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable and the risk associated with lithium-ion batteries found in EVs adds a high level of complexity to the repair process, including potential electrocution of the repairer."
The elevated risk of fire also prevented EVs from entering spray booths, which meant panelbeaters would have to change their repair processes. Many new vehicles had safety technology that allowed them to mitigate or avoid collisions, but they were more complex to repair because they now had sensors, cameras and radar systems.
"So what appears to be a minor accident from the exterior may have damaged the network of on-board technology."
New vehicles were also made from high-strength steel, aluminium and exotic materials that required special training and equipment for repairers to replicate factory joins.
"To accommodate this change, we are bringing in new international service quality standards to the industry which will see repairers commit to ongoing training, equipment upgrades, annual inspections and audit processes before they can become a licensed collision repairer in this market."
