Many owners of electric cars wonder whether they can have their vehicle repaired at any garage. This question is justified, as the high-voltage technology used in today’s electric vehicles poses certain risks. In our guide, you can find out what work a garage is allowed to carry out on an electric car and what requirements apply.

What repairs can my garage carry out on my electric car?

The type of repairs a workshop is allowed to carry out depends largely on the qualifications of the employees. Workshop equipment is also of particular importance when it comes to electric cars. The appearance of the workshop does not necessarily have to allow conclusions to be drawn. Smaller workshops can also repair electric cars. If you are not sure whether your local workshop also repairs electric cars, simply ask without obligation. Garages are aware of the changes in the industry and have often evolved accordingly. Quite a few workshops now have trained staff for repairing electric cars as well as the necessary workshop equipment.

Working on electric cars – situation in Germany

The regulations for carrying out work on electric cars vary from country to country. In Germany, the safety regulations are relatively strict. Special qualifications are required even for simple work steps on an electric car. This is by no means wrong, as the high-voltage system of electric vehicles harbors numerous dangers.

No electric car repairs without qualifications

In Germany, workshops are not allowed to carry out any work on electric cars without the appropriate qualifications. This even applies to the acceptance of the vehicle with maneuvering activities on the company premises. Replacing a defective headlight requires an appropriate qualification for working on electric cars. The same applies to changing the wheels on an electric car.

Dangers during the maintenance and repair of electric cars

There are particular dangers when carrying out maintenance work or repairing electric vehicles. These are essentially the risk of electric shocks. Triggered by the high-voltage system, these can quickly lead to damage to health and even death. The consequences range from cardiac arrhythmia and burns to organ damage.

Qualification in individual stages

In Germany, there are several levels of qualification for working on electric vehicles. An employee who has been trained as a car mechanic is not allowed to work on electric cars without further ado. They must have the appropriate additional qualifications. Even changing a tire requires the lower level of qualification for electric mobility.

1. Electrotechnically instructed person: The electrotechnically or expertly instructed person is the first level of qualification for working with electric cars. Anyone who has completed this training may carry out non-electrical work on electric vehicles as a workshop employee. This includes bodywork, changing fluids or maneuvering.
2. Specialists for working on HV intrinsically safe systems: The second level of qualification allows workshop employees to carry out more extensive work on electric cars. After the appropriate training, a mechanic may carry out electrical work on de-energized cars. For example, replacing the air conditioning compressor or electronic parts.
3. Expert for work on non-intrinsically safe vehicles: The third qualification level makes the mechanic an expert for non-intrinsically safe vehicles after passing the training. This qualification allows the employee to carry out troubleshooting and repairs on live parts of the high-voltage system. For example on an accident vehicle.

The training courses and different qualification levels require a different number of training units. The entry requirements also differ. Level 1, for example, is open to all workshop employees who are subject to compulsory insurance. Level 2 requires a completed professional qualification, while level 3 requires a medical examination.

Workshops require special equipment

In addition to special qualifications for employees, there are other hurdles to overcome before a workshop can successfully repair electric cars. This includes a special design of the workstations as well as the equipment with the appropriate tools. Only specially suitable and approved tools may be used on electric cars, and this also applies to measuring devices. To protect employees, appropriate protective clothing must be provided for work on electric cars. This includes, for example, special insulating gloves for work on high-voltage systems, as well as suitable eye protection. The work area must be sufficiently large and allow for safety equipment such as barriers.

Special cases for specialists only

Some repairs to electric vehicles require special knowledge or special equipment. This work often cannot be carried out by a local workshop, even if it is qualified. This includes, for example, replacing the drive battery under the electric car. This and similarly complex work tends to be carried out by specialist workshops for electric cars.

Repairs sometimes only carried out by authorized workshops

In individual cases, some repairs to electric cars can only be carried out in authorized workshops of the vehicle manufacturer. This is usually due to the manufacturer’s specifications. Repairs carried out at an independent workshop would invalidate the warranty. This includes bodywork repairs on Tesla vehicles, for example, which must be carried out in the Tesla Body Shop.

This work is permitted

Not all vehicles with electric drive components fall under the strict regulations for e-car repairs. This includes, for example, mild hybrid drives that operate with a voltage of 48 volts. Vehicles with an on-board voltage of 24 volts may also be repaired by any mechanic in the workshop. The limit for DC voltage is 60 volts.