Qualified to work on Electric Vehicles

It’s crucial to us, here at Star Tech, that our team of technicians are not only trained and qualified to the highest level but that we demonstrate a significant commitment to upskilling as we continue to rival the main dealers. This is particularly important when it comes to servicing and repairing Electric & Hybrid vehicles which is why our technicians are trained through the IMI to the highest level.

Our expertise as specialists for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar is highly respected by independent bodies such as the IGA (Independent Garage Association) and The Motor Ombudsman with whom we are members.

Where upskilling is concerned, The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) TechSafe qualifications are the most important and relevant qualifications for our technicians to hold as we see a progressive shift to Electric Vehicles. These are the industry equivalent of the GasSafe qualifications held by Gas Engineers.

So, what is IMI TechSafe?

• IMI TechSafe is a recognition of skills, qualification achievements and a commitment to CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
• IMI TechSafe recognition is evidence of safe working practice and being qualified to work on vehicles with systems and technologies that have significant safety implications, e.g. electric vehicles.

You can find out more on the IMI website here

There has been a predicted shortfall in the industry regarding the number of technicians qualified to work on EV’s so it’s very important to ensure your car is in safe hands with the right people. You can rest assured that at Star Tech, it is.

Servicing your EV

Analysis of electric vehicles has developed since they were first introduced showing that regular servicing is just as important for your EV as an engine driven car. A service contains many more thorough checks compared to an MOT which carries out different areas of testing for road safety.

“Despite a long-held belief that EVs – with less moving parts – will be quicker to service than their ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) counterparts, in-depth analysis conducted by the IMI suggests otherwise”, explained Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry. “In particular, tyre wear on electric vehicles is heavier than on ICE models; according to Garage Industry Trends analysis of 2021 MOT test data, EVs had a failure rate of 11.43% for 2018 registered vehicles compared to 10.45% for petrol vehicles and the weak point was identified as tyres.”

So, in a nutshell, you will need to ensure regular servicing and proper maintenance of your electric vehicle to ensure reliability, safety and longevity. Be very careful who you take your car to and be sure that they are EV qualified by checking the IMI TechSafe Register before trusting them or even better, leave it to the Star Tech team!

Check out next week’s blog post where we go more in depth explaining the areas that need attention when servicing your electric car.

Contact our team if you have any questions.