One-in-five cars on UK roads are expected to use electrified powertrains by 2025.

Automotive aftermarket intelligence company GiPA has made the prediction using its car parc forecast tool. In light of the results, it is urging aftersales businesses to be prepared to deal with a larger volume of electrified cars.

Plotting a path

GiPA UK has produced two car parc scenarios to provide a realistic outlook. It forecasts that electrified vehicles will represent between 19% and 21% of the UK passenger car parc by 2025.

These include mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Most use the same or similar high-voltage components to fully electric models.

Garage services will need to train or retrain mechanics in order to qualify them for what can be potentially dangerous components. At present, many industry watchers have voiced concerns over the lack of qualified staff to maintain and service EVS and hybrid vehicles.

 

Essential action

Quentin Le Hetet, GiPA UK director says that it is “becoming essential for aftermarket players” to get up to speed. Electric and hybrid vehicles must be ‘integrated’ into their medium to long-term business plans.

“They need to understand how this will affect them, and what their response should be to this new segment in terms of equipment, staff, and training.

He added that traditional combustion engined (ICE) vehicles will still be “a significant part of the market after 2030”.

New opportunities

Growth in volume of hybrids and electric car sales has been accelerating. Climate fears continue to fill the headlines, while the government announced a ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles after 2030.

Big improvements in the range of vehicles and the huge number of new models available have all encouraged greater EV sales. These sales and the government’s goals appear to be aligned. However, aftermarket players needs to embrace change too. GiPA do not believe they currently understand the true pace of this transition. They need a plan and a strategy to implement.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is calling for urgent action to support training. It wants to see funding and a national workforce development strategy from the Government. This will provide assurance that enough trained technicians will be available by the time of the 2030 ban.

The IMI said just 5% of current garages and dealerships are appropriately qualified to work on electric vehicles (EVs).