A new Australian Standard for electric vehicle (EV) service and repair has been welcomed by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).
The standard, AS 5732 Electric Vehicle Operations – Maintenance and Repair, contains a new safety framework for independent service and repair workshops including workshop layout, specialised tools, and protection equipment for technicians to safely and efficiently service and repair EVs.
The new standard comes at a crucial time for the aftermarket industry as it progressively gears up to be ready for the car-parc transition to EVs, says the AAAA.
‘Our industry is committed to national standards, and the implementation of the revised AS 5732 standard is an important resource for workshops,” says AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity.
“The standard provides guidance to technicians and business owners on how they can safely service customer EVs in a safe and professional workshop environment.”
Servicing and repair of EVs will require a combination of new training, investment in insulated tools and new EV safety workplace practices.
“There is an urban myth that the EVs can run forever with no technician involvement, but this is not the case,” Charity explains.
“Like internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs need servicing, and EV vehicle components encounter wear and tear.”
Common replacement components and maintenance services that are shared between EV and ICE vehicles include electric diagnostics, safety systems sensors, brake systems, suspension componentry, windscreen glass, wiper components, cabin air filters, lighting and signal systems, air conditioning and tyres.
For hybrid vehicles, which will play a large role in the EV car-parc transition, standard ICE and drivetrain servicing and repair schedules will remain a constant for many years, Charity adds.
As hybrid and EVs increase their share of the car-parc consumers will likely see noticeable changes to the layout of many workshops, he says.
“The AS 5732 standard encourages the design of a distraction free workshop zone for the decommissioning of the HV system to create a safe environment prior to any work on any HV and non-HV components.”
To ensure the standard delivered a positive outcome for independent repairers and automotive parts designers and manufacturers, the AAAA actively participated on the Standards Australia “EM-001: Electric Vehicle Operation” technical committee.
Charity thanks AAAA government relations and advocacy director Lesley Yates for her work on the EM-001 technical committee, leading to “a sensible and comprehensive workshop standard” for Australian workshops.
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