According to a report from Green NCAP, average vehicle weight has increased by 9% in the last 10 years, equating to 100kg, which has an impact on vehicle lifts. Pro-Align’s Head of Sales and Marketing Craig Welch said: “A few years ago, we rarely sold a five-tonne lift, but more recently, we’re really starting to see that shift. Quite simply, for the increase in vehicle weight we’re already seeing, and what’s highly likely to be around the corner, a fourtonne lift may simply not offer the required capacity in the future.” Futureproof Craig continued: “The longer the range, the bigger the battery required in an EV, and that’s not a trend we expect to see slowing any time soon. As we approach the 2030 ban on combustion engine sales, OEM and independent garages will need to look to futureproof themselves as much as possible, especially as an increased proportion of bookings will be from EV owners. It’s not just the increase 46 AFTERMARKET JUNE 2023 LIFTS AND JACKS www.aftermarketonline.net in vehicle weight that is limiting the capacity of many fourtonne lifts either. EVs typically have jacking points in different positions to combustion models due to the battery position, meaning wider jacking beams are often required. We’re seeing an increasing number of customers specifying one or two wider jacking beams, which are essential to increase vehicle stability when the vehicle is in the air. “Pro-Align uses AC Hydraulics jacking beams, which depending on specification can weigh between 105 and 175kg each. A pair of heavyweight beams can shave up to 350kg off the gross capacity of the lift; Suddenly, a fourtonne lift can only hoist a vehicle little more than 3.5 tonnes.” Safety is a major concern too: “Injuries can occur with a vehicle of any weight, but the risk of serious injury increases with heavier vehicles. Our Hunter RX45 4.2-tonne lift and 5.2-tonne RX55 deliver top-tier safety, with precision teeth lock runways at 16 height positions, plus features to instantly shut down and stop in the event of component failure.” Above: MA-STAR 3.5 from MAHA UK I’M WITH JACK With vehicles becoming heavier as electrification takes hold, having lifts and jacks that can take the strain has become absolutely vital
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