Hybrid/electric versus traditional: inside the shop
MOUNT FOREST – As a diagnostic technician, Bruce Hennessy of Officer’s Auto Care knows a lot about hybrid, electric and gas-powered vehicles.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered entirely by rechargeable battery packs and electric motors and hybrids combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery.
When it comes to servicing, they are similar, whereas traditional gas-powered vehicles differ due to internal components such as the battery.
Maintaining EVs and hybrids is more complicated because of the safety factor and the high voltage they contain, Hennessy told the Community News.
“A lot of people don’t have the equipment or the knowledge to work on it,” he said. “Getting the tools is not as easy as it should be.”
Insulated or non-conductive tools are essential when working on EVs/hybrid vehicles.
“Improper tools can lead to explosions if handled incorrectly around high-voltage material,” Hennessy said.
Asked which vehicles last longer, he said, “If gas cars are properly looked after they tend to last 10 to 12 years before needing a replacement.”
“We’re finding here in Canada, in the cold weather, it’s seven or eight years when [EVs and hybrids] start having performance issues with the batteries,” Hennessy added.
A common misconception among electric vehicle drivers is that “there’s no maintenance to be done,” he said.
EVs don’t need oil changes but there are still components that require work.
One vital service is coolant changes.
“You have to make sure the coolant stays non-conductive and all the properties are in there ... or you end up having overheating issues in the battery,” Hennessy said.
On top of the coolant, drivers still have to service the brakes and air filters, just like a gas-powered car.
“Even with a hybrid, there is still oil changes to be done,” he added.
Many hybrid vehicles use an electric air conditioning system rather than a mechanical compressor.
The shop must have a specific machine ”set aside to service hybrid/EV motors” due to the risk of contaminating the oil with conductive oil.
Costs
The biggest impact to EV/hybrid drivers is the service costs.
According to Hennessy, most shops will complete basic maintenance on EVs and hybrids “as long as they are willing to do it.”
“Some of them don’t want the liability of the [high voltage] vehicle in the shop,” Hennessy said.
Officer’s Auto Care’s shop rate is roughly $110 per hour for general diagnostics but that price is for gas vehicles.
“When you get into anything to do with the high voltage part of the car it’s usually $200 per hour and up,
he explained.
“It tends to be more expensive because the shop has to fork out money for special equipment they don’t use as often.”
Another factor is the costly and extensive training mechanics must complete to work on EVs and hybrids.
From travel, accommodations and course fees, Hennessy’s training was between $25,000 and $30,000.
Though his training is complete, the Auto Care shop in Mount Forest can’t yet service high-voltage components as it does not currently have the proper tools.
“Getting the tools is not as easy as it should be,” Hennessy said. “We’ve been waiting almost two years for a tool package.”
Hennessy encounters “quite a few hybrids because a lot of the vehicles people want to drive only come as hybrids,” he said.
As for what vehicle type Hennessy recommends, he said, “A hybrid or a gas-powered car over an EV vehicle, especially if the driver has to drive a significant distance.”
He also noted if one needs a viable car for distance in the winter time then his recommendation still stands.
Officer’s Auto Care is located at 210 Industrial Dr., in Mount Forest. Its services include brakes, exhaust repair, wheel alignment, maintenance of antique vehicles, engine and electrical analysis, light truck rustproofing and more.
