THE LEADERSHIP MINDSET SHIFT EVERY SHOP NEEDS BEFORE INVESTING IN TOOLS OR TRAINING
Earlier this month, during one of our EV training classes, I asked the group of technicians whether they were currently working on EVs yet. The answers were all over the board, but most admitted they hadn’t done much (if any) EV work yet.
What I found most interesting was that each faced a different hurdle. One shop needed to install a charger but wasn’t sure who to contact or how to get started. Another had already purchased some new tools and PPE but wasn’t seeing EVs come through the door. A few others had attended training classes, but they still felt there was a lot to learn and insufficient hands-on experience in the bay to reinforce their knowledge. The problem I began to realize wasn’t access to the tools or training—it was the need for a strategic plan for their shop, the marketing, and the mindset. Without leadership direction and preparation, the tools and skills they’d invested in would sit around gathering dust.
We’re witnessing the automotive industry evolve in real time through the EV transformation. For shop owners and managers, being “EV ready” is about far more than installing a charging station or sending a tech to class. It’s about leading your business through change. The shops that will win EV work aren’t necessarily the ones with the fanciest equipment; they’re the ones with leaders who’ve already made the mental shift.
In leading the Bosch EV Training Tour over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of shop owners and technicians across North America.
After countless conversations, my biggest takeaway is that there are three common pitfalls leaders need to avoid to navigate the EV transition successfully:
1. Underestimating the Speed of Adoption: Many leaders still believe EVs are a decade away from impacting their shop. But adoption curves are accelerating, especially in urban and coastal areas, and EV collision repair is already here. Waiting until “the right time” often means playing catchup as opposed to setting your shop up to be a leader in the transformation.
According to Bosch Powertrain figures, in the US, EVs now represent roughly 8–9 percent of all new vehicle sales, and in Canada, the figure is around 12-15 percent. When you add xHEV1s into the mix, that figure climbs to 23 percent of new vehicles sold in 2025 are BEV or xHEVs. In markets like British Columbia, EVs already outpace that rate, as one in five new-car purchases is electric. Waiting for EVs to “arrive” at your shop could mean missing a regional surge that’s already here.
2. Thinking EVs Are Just Another Car: Yes, they have four wheels and brakes. However, the repair processes, safety risks, and customer expectations differ. That means different training, workflows, and even customer conversations.
3. Skipping Cultural Buy-In: Leaders sometimes make significant EV investments without preparing their team for why it matters. Without that connection, techs may resist the work, advisors may undersell it, and the customer experience suffers.
Here’s what you can do as a shop owner to bypass these common pitfalls and ensure your team is truly ready for EVs from the top down:
1. Set the Visions: Your shop’s EV journey starts when leadership paints a clear picture of where the business is headed and why. Develop a guiding vision—your “True North”—such as: “We will become the go-to shop for EV service in our region within 3 years.”
2. Prepare Your Whole Team, Not Just Techs: The first point of contact for an EV owner isn’t your technician, it’s your front desk or service advisor. They need to be confident and competent in answering questions about safety, timelines, and give the customer peace of mind that their vehicle is in the best hands.
3. Understand Your EV Customers: EV owners are often progressive, environmentally conscious, tech-savvy, and highly informed by research they’ve conducted online before they call. Your customer service approach should reflect these expectations, creating an experience that reinforces their trust and reassures them they’ve chosen the right shop.
4. Lead by Example: Continue to show your staff that you’re invested in the EV shift. Attend trainings yourself, stay informed about market trends, host monthly Lunch and Learns to share EV-related topics, and encourage conversations about challenges and successes.
WE’RE WITNESSING THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY EVOLVE IN REAL TIME THROUGH THE EV TRANSFORMATION. FOR SHOP OWNERS AND MANAGERS, BEING “EV READY” IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN INSTALLING A CHARGING STATION OR SENDING A TECH TO CLASS. IT’S ABOUT LEADING YOUR BUSINESS THROUGH CHANGE.
THE SHOPS THAT WILL WIN EV WORK AREN’T NECESSARILY THE ONES WITH THE FANCIEST EQUIPMENT; THEY’RE THE ONES WITH LEADERS WHO’VE ALREADY MADE THE MENTAL SHIFT.
Of course, having the right tools is essential for safe and proper EV repair. Insulated gloves, HV-rated test equipment, battery lifts, and chargers are necessary investments for your shop’s EV capabilities. However, acquiring these tools should be the final step in your EV transition plan, not the first. Without a solid foundation in place, expensive equipment risks sitting unused.
Before investing in tools and training, ensure you have:
• Team Buy-In—Ensure your staff understands why you’re moving into EV work and is committed to the transition.
• A Marketing Plan—Define how you will let existing and potential customers know that you can service their EVs (website, Google business profile, social media, text updates, etc).
• Safety and Workflow Protocols—Establish clear processes for handling EVs in the bay, from intake to delivery.
• Leadership Preparedness—Take an EV safety and systems overview course yourself so you can speak from knowledge.
• Team Feedback—Ask your staff what excites them, what concerns them, and what they need to feel ready.
• Operational Insight—Consider visiting an EV-ready shop to see firsthand how the workflow and customer experience differ.
• Public Presence—Ensure your website and social media clearly showcase your EV capabilities before the first job arrives, helping to drive new business to your shop.
When these pieces are in place, your investment in tools and training will translate directly into revenue-generating work rather than collecting dust in the corner.
Finally, early adopters build lasting customer loyalty. Satisfied EV owners are likely to recommend your shop to friends and family, driving new business for EV and traditional services alike. But being first is just one part of the equation. EV readiness isn’t a box you tick, it’s a journey you lead. The shops that will thrive aren’t the ones with the most expensive tools; they’re the ones with leaders who saw the change coming, prepared their team, and embraced the opportunity. Tools and training are needed and will follow, but real EV readiness begins with bold leadership. Your vision and commitment are what will drive your team forward and power your shop’s success in this exciting new era. And you don’t have to do it alone – you should lean on experts, such as Bosch or others in the industry, who are here to support your entire shop and help you confidently navigate every step of the EV transition.
