In another sign that the repair industry has a growing urgency to be ready for new technology, the number of new EVs available is rapidly turning from a trickle to a flood.
The introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard in 2025 was flagged as a gateway to increase the options for consumers for low emission vehicles and save them money.
Car manufacturers have not wasted any time with multiple new EV models on offer in 2024 and new brands, particularly from China , hitting Australian shores.
In the next 12 months, there are seven Chinese brands expected to start selling cars in Australia with Zeekr, smart and Xpeng launching now, followed by JAC Motors, Leapmotor, Skywell and Jaecoo, and Smart. They will join already-established brands, such as Chery, LDV, GWM, Haval, and BYD.
China is now the third largest country of origin for cars in Australia, after Japan and Thailand.
Now, Leading motoring website Drive has counted as many as 40 new models hitting Australia by 2025 and done a full review of the offerings.
Despite a slowing of sales globally and some flattening in monthly FCAI figures of EV sales, the impetus of the OEMs and the impact on repair workshops does not seem to be abating.
Motoring bodies like the MTAA have regularly signalled the NVES as heralding a major change to the car parc, one the repair industry needed government support to be ready for, with their predictions of up to 160 mew models of EV by 2029.
The AAAA has also been strident in advocating for the aftermarket, calling for a range of measures and financial supports from government to ensure workshops are ready to safely depower and work on these EVs.
AAAA CEO Stuart Charity has also pointed out that while new cars tend to go to dealerships for maintenance and repair in the first three or four years, they could arrive at collision repairers in their first month of life if they are involved in an accident.
“The whole ownership experience is really important. We hear from the federal government that we need more electric cars on the road, but very little in terms of policy and focus around that whole infrastructure to support this rollout,” Charity has told NCR.