Bookings for battery-electric vehicle (BEV) servicing have more than doubled for the past two years, with independent workshops taking a significant proportion of the work.
Data from BookMyGarage shows that in 2023, private BEV motorists made 112% more service bookings via the service and MOT booking platform compared to 2022. In 2024, the figure leapt again with an increase in bookings of 136%.
Whilst these bookings remained a small percentage of overall service and MOT bookings made through BookMyGarage, the surge in numbers over the past two years indicates a rapidly growing market segment for the independent sector. All-electric bookings made up 0.4% of all BookMyGarage bookings in 2022, 0.7% in 2023 and 1.5% in 2024 which translates to around a doubling of share year-on-year.
BEV increase leads to opportunities
This growth is likely to continue, with a year-on-year increase in BEV sales. With the market starting to surge in 2022, as more carmakers offered the technology, and EU regulations created stricter targets on CO2 levels that also affected UK imports, this year will see a larger number of three-year-old EVs on the market.
In addition, the latest used-car market data from the SMMT shows that used BEV sales jumped 57.4% last year, with a record 188,382 units changing hands. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and full hybrids (HEVs) also grew, up 32.2% to 92,120 units and 39.3% to 306,114 units respectively. This means an increase in these models entering the independent sector as well. In the case of HEVs, there are already many more of these vehicles in the UK car parc.
Meanwhile, new car registration data from the SMMT revealed the market in general was up 2.6% year-on-year in 2024, with all-electric registrations achieving market share of 19.6%. This was a record annual volume, as 381,970 deliveries were made.
“As used BEVs increasingly filter into the used car market, inevitably, more independent garages are meeting the aftersales requirements of these vehicles. Our data shows an increasing proportion of independent garages able and willing to cater for BEV owners,” commented BookMyGarage CEO Douglas Rotberg.
“The growth of BEV service bookings for our independent garage partners reflects not just an increase of older BEVs on the road -since drivers of older vehicles are more likely to book with an independent – but is illustrative of an expanding niche for independents. Independent businesses are investing in the equipment and specialist training required to service and maintain these vehicles and our data demonstrates BEV servicing and repairs are no longer the preserve of the franchised network. We are expecting to see this trend strengthen throughout the year.”
Changes ahead
The increase in BEV uptake in both the new and used-car markets signifies the start of a trend that will continue in the years ahead. The used-BEV market, in particular, may see additional uptake this year, with the addition of VED and the Expensive Car Supplement on new models from April. Those wanting an all-electric model, but who cannot afford the additional tax, may look to older used models, which would likely be serviced by the independent sector.
Rotberg added: “The strong figures for new EV registrations and used BEV sales are encouraging and are indicative of a wider shift in EV ownership. Although new registrations are largely driven by businesses greening up their fleets, the fact that the used car market has also grown extensively suggests a trend towards wider acceptance and more confidence in BEVs among private motorists.
“The numbers for BEV servicing maybe modest but they are growing exponentially, and we will continue to keep a close eye on our data so we can best align resources with this trend. We will continue to work closely with our independent garage partners to help them take full advantage of the growing demand from EV motorists.”
