Car Mechanics (UK)

Guidelines

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 There are quite clear guidelines laid out for working on an EV and these apply even when cleaning or valeting the vehicle. When driving an EV, the driver also needs to be keep in mind that they are in a silent vehicle, and therefore any nearby pedestrian­s or animals may not be alerted to the movement of the vehicle.

When working on an EV it is recommende­d that the vehicle key/ remote fob should be kept away from the vehicle and out of the area to prevent any chance of the vehicle being powered up. Remember that an EV will be operationa­l without any outward warning and no noise will be emitted before the vehicle may engage drive and move. On a keyless vehicle this could happen after the inadverten­t touch of a button.

The use of high-power pressure washers is not recommende­d, as the likelihood of water ingress into the high voltage systems is relatively high, with potentiall­y harmful results.

Courses are available from various bodies, including the Institute of the Motor Industry, for profession­al mechanics who wish to work on electric vehicles, and as far as the law is concerned this area has been left quite vague. Although there are many training courses available giving various levels of qualificat­ion, as yet there is no legislatio­n to say that any particular qualificat­ion is a legal requiremen­t to work on an EV. So while electricia­ns and plumbers are tightly monitored as to what they are allowed to fit and repair, the motor industry is again left to get on with it.

 ??  ?? The high-voltage and cables holding the potentiall­y lethal voltage are coloured orange and should not be tampered with.
The high-voltage and cables holding the potentiall­y lethal voltage are coloured orange and should not be tampered with.

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