A significant transition is taking place in the automotive sector, driven by decarbonisation goals. With the sale of new petrol and diesel cars set to be banned by 2035 the shift to hybrid and electric vehicles has begun. 267,000 new EVs and 400,000 plugin hybrids were registered in 2022 alone, and the rising popularity of such vehicles on our roads, in addition to the emergence of smaller, yet more powerful engines, displays a new range of challenges and opportunities for automotive workshops. Garages must undergo their own sustainability journey, as does the new generation of drivers. They must explore how they can support their customers to drive more efficiently and, as a result, become increasingly sustainable themselves. As such, what actions do workshops need to take to make sure they are utilising the appropriate skills to fulfill evolving sustainability requirements, customer demand and ultimately, maintain profitability? Let’s explore what the future means for automotive workshops. A persistent change in consumer demand Recent EMEA-wide research conducted by PETRONAS Lubricants International (PLI) on sustainability and consumer driving habits revealed a strong desire to contribute to a greener automotive industry. As many as 80% of European consumers aspire to drive more sustainably, however, as many as 12% lack the knowledge and understanding of how to do so. In fact, only 31% of Brits are aware of how to reduce their car’s carbon footprint. This is where automotive workshops play an essential role as knowledgeable professionals who can offer more sustainable solutions to their customers. Taking the wheel on new developments The automotive industry is constantly evolving as it adapts to governmental mandates and align with consumer needs. Workshop mechanics must stay ahead of the curve by continuously improving their knowledge and technical skills and further position themselves as experienced professionals who can advise their customers on the latest updates or changes in the industry. Vehicles are evolving from combustion engines. We now see pure hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, fully electric vehicles and smaller yet more powerful engines hitting the roads. This multitude of vehicles requires specialised fluids and lubricants to ensure the proper mechanical care is taken according to the type of engine. Lubricants are being developed with optimisation in mind, improving efficiency and reducing emissions. But it’s not a one size fits all approach. For example, EVs don’t require engine oil changes, but do require vital fluids to ensure they are performing at their best, and safest - these three vital components are reduction gear, brake and coolant fluids. EVs heavily rely on coolant to flow through the system to stop the all-important battery from overheating, therefore a regular replacement of any coolant fluid is mandatory during servicing. Similarly, it is recommended that brake fluid is replaced in EVs every 25,000 miles, or every two years. However, much like traditional combustion engines, hybrid vehicles still require the same level of care and therefore the same maintenance. This includes engine oil, transmission oil, coolants and brake fluids. While the adoption of electric vehicles is increasing, not every new driver has the means to purchase one and will be continuing to drive ICE cars. So how can workshops still help these drivers? PLI’s recent research shows that 71% of Europeans already know that oil can contribute to carbon footprint of car but are less aware of other factors that play a role. For instance, by recommending lubricants that are designed to minimise environmental impact or using products that simply have more environmentally friendly packaging, workshops can help drivers take positive action. The PETRONAS Syntium Bag-in-Box is one example of a lubricant which offers exactly this. Not only does it use 97% less plastic compared to traditional packaging, but the formulation of the lubricant itself is proven to improve fuel efficiency by 3%, ultimately reducing 18 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net DRIVING CHANGE: FUTUREPROOFING WORKSHOPS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION How can garages ensure they are employing the right approach to make sure they are moving with the times and staying profitable? BY Marsha Thomas, UK and Ireland Country Manager at PETRONAS Lubricants International
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