The Rise of EVs: What It Means for Independent Garages

The Electric Vehicle Revolution Is Here

The shift to electric vehicles is no longer a distant prospect -- it is unfolding right now across the UK. In 2025, battery electric vehicles accounted for roughly one in five new car registrations, a figure that has been climbing steadily year on year. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported record EV sales for several consecutive quarters, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. With charging infrastructure expanding rapidly and battery costs continuing to fall, electric cars are quickly moving from early-adopter curiosity to mainstream reality.

The UK government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires that an increasing percentage of manufacturers' new car sales must be zero-emission, building towards the target that all new cars and vans sold will be zero-emission by 2035. Meanwhile, many cities are introducing Clean Air Zones that penalise older combustion vehicles, pushing consumers towards EVs even faster. For independent garages, these changes are not something to watch from the sidelines -- they represent a fundamental reshaping of the vehicles that will be rolling into your workshop over the next decade.

The question is not whether EVs will affect your business, but how quickly and how prepared you are to adapt. Garages that treat this as a threat will struggle. Those that see it as an opportunity will find new revenue streams, attract new customers, and position themselves for long-term growth.

"By 2030, the UK government aims for all new cars sold to be zero-emission. Independent garages that adapt now will thrive -- those that don't risk being left behind."

What This Means for Your Garage

The impact of EV adoption will be felt across every part of an independent garage's operations. Here are three key areas where the shift is most significant.

How to Prepare Your Garage for the EV Transition

You do not need to transform your entire operation overnight. The most successful garages are taking a measured, step-by-step approach. Here are five practical actions you can start on today.

1. Start with hybrid servicing. Hybrid vehicles are an excellent bridge between traditional combustion work and full EV capability. They still have engines, brakes, and exhausts, but they also introduce you to battery systems and regenerative braking. Many of the skills and processes transfer directly to pure EVs, and the training requirements are less intensive as an entry point. Offering hybrid servicing now builds your confidence and reputation before the full EV wave arrives.

2. Invest in IMI-accredited training. Send your technicians on IMI Level 2 and Level 3 EV courses. The cost is modest relative to the long-term return, and some courses are eligible for government-funded skills programmes. Having qualified technicians is not just a safety requirement -- it is a powerful marketing tool. Customers actively search for garages with certified EV technicians, and being listed on the IMI Professional Register makes your garage visible to a growing audience.

3. Add EV-specific services to your offering. Start listing battery health checks, EV diagnostics, and charging point installation on your website and booking system. Even if demand starts slowly, having these services visible signals to customers that your garage is forward-thinking and capable. A modern garage management system makes it simple to add new service types, set pricing, and track which EV services are gaining traction so you can double down on what works.

4. Track your customer fleet mix. Understanding how many of your existing customers already own hybrid or electric vehicles is invaluable. If your GMS records vehicle data against customer profiles, you can quickly see the trend and plan accordingly. You might be surprised how many EVs and hybrids are already in your customer base -- and those owners may currently be going elsewhere for EV-specific work simply because they do not know you can help.

5. Plan your equipment upgrades gradually. You do not need every piece of EV equipment on day one. Start with a quality multi-brand EV diagnostic tool and basic safety equipment (insulated tools, EV-rated gloves, isolation barriers). As your EV workload grows, you can justify larger investments such as battery lifting equipment and dedicated EV bays. Spreading the cost over time makes the transition far more manageable financially.

Pro Tip

Start by offering hybrid vehicle servicing as a stepping stone to full EV capability. Many of the skills transfer directly.