Electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise. The power grid is becoming more environmentally friendly. Tire manufacturers are working on new compounds to extend the life of EV tires. The materials used to make these tires are being considered from an environmental perspective.

Overall, the disadvantages of electric vehicles are less today than they were five years ago.

I visited a tire and full service shop on Cape Cod, Massachusetts last week.

The reason for my visit was to inform the owner that a new technician training program in Massachusetts might be able to fund a two-week electric vehicle training course at my company, the Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC).

The store owner had the day off, so I spoke to Steve, the store manager. He was polite and straight to the point. He said, “My boss hates electric cars, but he’s a realist, so I’ll let him know.”

This workshop works on many high-quality European cars.

Many Mercedes and BMW owners switched to the Tesla Model S over 10 years ago, and the repair shop started losing good customers. There is no denying now that electric vehicles are not going away.

You can think whatever you want about electric car owners, the cars, Elon Musk, or any other objections you personally have. I have my own biases too.

My company is now 48 years old. In that time we have all seen a lot of changes. (If you are under 30, find an old hand and we can fill you in.)

Today, your customers are looking at total cost of ownership and some will conclude that an electric vehicle is cheaper to maintain.

That may not be your view. If so, you’re losing a customer – unless you can service their vehicle.

Recently, the operator of a fleet of light commercial vehicles informed its technicians that the owner and the board of directors of the company had decided to order 40 new electric trucks.

He commissioned ACDC to prepare his workshop for the GM Silverado EV, Rivian R1T, Ford Lightning and Ford E-Transit.

Over the last month, ACDC’s technician Chris Bray and I have been researching and scanning these four types of vehicles and preparing to add them to our list. Were we surprised? No. Are you surprised?

In some applications, electric vehicle fleets can save costs in the long run.

Do you have fleet customers? If not, why? If your workshop is slow, fleets can fill those days.

When I was in school we used to go on field trips. It was a while ago, but they still exist.

Perhaps you have given students from a local high school the opportunity to visit your company as part of a field trip?

The journey I want to take with you begins with installing the PlugShare app on your phone and learning how to use it.

If you’re having trouble figuring it out, ask a 14-year-old.

Then find the nearest location listed in the app. Stop by as often as possible and talk to EV owners while they’re plugged in. This “market research” is up close and personal.

I do this often, especially when I drive outside the range of the ACDC electric car or motorcycle I am riding that day.

Here are some questions to ask (in no particular order):

• “Are you renting this electric vehicle?”
• “Do you like it?”
• “Did you have any problems with that?”
• “How long does it take to charge your electric vehicle?”
• “How long have you owned this electric vehicle?”
• “Did you have a hybrid before this vehicle?”
• “If the electric vehicle needs servicing, do you use a dealer or a Tesla service center?”

You may not want to identify yourself as a shop owner. That is up to you.

An honest opening statement could be that you are interested in purchasing an electric vehicle.

This type of research is a great way to educate yourself and learn what you can offer these owners.

Is getting into EV service something for you? I can tell you that the business exists.

And there is clearly a shortage of well-trained technicians capable of servicing and repairing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars and trucks.

Is now the right time to offer EV services, or have you waited so long that your competitors are already there?