Retail bookings for EV services via the BookMyGarage platform have more than doubled each year for the past two years with independent garages taking a significant slice of the pie, according to latest data from the UK’s No1 service and MOT comparison and booking website.
In 2023 private EV motorists made 112% more service bookings via the service and MOT booking platform compared to 2022. In 2024, the figure leapt again with an increase in EV bookings of 136%.
Whilst EV bookings remained a small percentage of overall service and MOT bookings made through BookMyGarage, the surge in numbers over the past two years indicates a rapidly growing market segment in EV aftersales for the independent sector. EV bookings made up 0.4% of all BookMyGarage bookings in 2022, 0.7% in 2023 and 1.5% in 2024 which translates to around a doubling of share year-on-year.
Significantly, of all the active businesses currently live on BookMyGarage, including SecretService (aimed at the franchised network), 14.5% are independent garages which offer EV servicing facilities.
BookMyGarage CEO Douglas Rotberg said: “As used EVs increasingly filter into the used car market, inevitably, more independent garages are meeting the aftersales requirements of these vehicles. Our data shows an increasing proportion of independent garages able and willing to cater for EV owners.
“The growth of EV service bookings for our independent garage partners reflects not just an increase of older EVs on the road -since drivers of older vehicles are more likely to book with an independent – but is illustrative of an expanding niche for independents. Independent businesses are investing in the equipment and specialist training required to service and maintain these vehicles and our data demonstrates EV servicing and repairs are no longer the preserve of the franchised network. We are expecting to see this trend strengthen throughout the year.”
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the used car market in Q3 2024 as whole was up 4.3% with almost 2 million vehicles changing hands whilst used EV sales leapt by 57% – 53,423 units. According to the figures released in November last year, it represented the largest ever market share for EVs at 2.7% up from 1.8% in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, new car registration data from the SMMT revealed the market in general was up 2.6% year-on-year with EVs registrations achieving market share of 19.6%. Although whilst a record annual volume, the figure remains below mandated levels.
Rotberg added: “The strong figures for new EV registrations and used EV sales are encouraging and are indicative of a wider shift in EV ownership. Although new registrations are largely driven by businesses greening up their fleets, the fact that the used car market has also grown extensively suggests a trend towards wider acceptance and more confidence in EVs among private motorists.
“The numbers for EV servicing maybe modest but they are growing exponentially, and we will continue to keep a close eye on our data so we can best align resources with this trend. We will continue to work closely with our independent garage partners to help them take full advantage of the growing demand from EV motorists.”
