More and more universal car companies indicate that they can also maintain electric cars. We can understand this for a set of windshield wipers or a pair of new tires, but will they still help you if something is wrong with the e-technology of an EV?
In the Netherlands, there are two parties of universal garages competing fiercely to maintain your used EV: Moobi and NexDrive. The former is from LKQ, a global player in the auto parts field known for Vakgarage and AutoFirst.
NexDrive is part of the Alliance Automotive Group. You might know this company from formulas like CarProf, Autovakmeester, and auto parts store PartsPoint. Each affiliated garage is owned by an independent entrepreneur.
Moobi and NexDrive are so-called partial concepts with a specific focus, similar to those for tires, brakes, and turbos. The requirements both formulas set are virtually the same. There must be at least one technician within the company trained according to the so-called NEN 9140 standard for safely working on electric vehicles. Specific equipment must also be available for checking and working on high-voltage systems.
First charging stations and energy
Moobi started in 2019 as a Belgian formula and was mainly focused on selling charging stations and energy. Since 2023, the scope has become considerably broader and promises to take care of everything for you as an e-motorist, from charging solutions to maintenance and repair. Over the past years, the formula has grown in the Netherlands to now more than 300 locations, out of a total of about eight to ten thousand universal car companies in the Netherlands.
Is there actual repair work being done on EVs?
At NexDrive, the main competitor with now 66 locations, knowledge is also central. Formula manager Ivar Camps: “We have made great strides and are able to really train and support companies well in the EV field. The foundation is formed by safety training around the NEN standard. Additionally, we offer in-depth training, where we for example disassemble a battery pack and teach technicians how to replace cells themselves. These training are not only theoretical; actual work is done on cars and batteries.”
And really challenging malfunctions?
El Fakir of Moobi recognizes this. “We notice that technicians who have completed their EV training diagnosis more efficiently because they know the material better, even when the problem is not in the high-voltage system. Because that’s the reality – with many EV problems, the cause lies in another component.” El Fakir acknowledges that not every Moobi location has the same level of knowledge and experience but emphasizes the willingness to learn. Companies here can also rely on a technical helpdesk.
Waiting for parts takes a long time
Another point both parties agree on is the limited availability of parts. “Both we and brand dealers have to deal with this,” emphasizes Ivar Camps. “In exceptional cases, cars sometimes wait months for a specific part. Unfortunately, we can’t do much about that.” Yet development is not standing still here either, Camps says: “We are working on a pilot where we use refurbished parts that are as good as new but more affordable and available faster. We currently mainly offer Tesla parts, but we expect to expand that range.” For Moobi too, ‘refurbished’ proves to be the magic word, which El Fakir supports with a concrete example.
What happens in the workshop?
The theory behind both EV concepts sounds good, but to discover what really happens in the workshops, we call EV-Repair in Velserbroek. The company has specialized in EVs for years and recently joined NexDrive. Owner Michel Koese: “When everyone was still doubting electric cars, I put my money on them.” That worked out well, as Koese’s workshop now maintains and repairs more than 1,600 EVs (!) each year. “Dealer companies also find us when they can’t figure anything out,” says Koese.
Not every universal car company embraces EVs
DTS Lopik has also been familiar with EV technology for years. Owner Willem Sluijs knows that not every universal car company says ‘yes’ to electric cars but would like to see that change. “That’s why I recently became a member of Moobi, to share our knowledge with other companies in the network.” Sluijs also believes in a second life for existing parts. In fact: DTS repairs electric motors and drive units themselves.
Good check prevents problems
With such parts prices, you could easily become afraid of purchasing an EV. “On one hand I understand that fear,” says Kamal el Fakir of Moobi, “on the other hand, you should know that these kinds of problems are relatively minor when set against the total electric vehicle fleet.”
NexDrive chooses the path of prevention. “With a 120-point inspection, we thoroughly examine an EV,” says Ivar Camps, “so that any problems come to light before a company buys and thus resells the car. During the inspection, we not only look at the battery health (SoH) but also at things like the chassis and the status of heating elements. These are subject to wear in EVs, and that wear can be measured.”