The automotive service precinct along Kingsgrove Road is undergoing a quiet transformation as businesses prepare for the electric vehicle revolution, with several mechanics investing heavily in new equipment and training.

For decades, Kingsgrove Road between Beverly Hills and Kingsgrove has been known for its concentration of car dealerships, mechanics, and automotive suppliers. Now, business owners are racing to adapt before the technology leaves them behind.

“Five years ago, we’d see maybe one electric car a month,” said Greg Thompson, owner of Thompson Automotive. “Now we’re getting five or six a week for tyres, brakes, and general servicing. If we can’t work on these cars, we’ll lose those customers forever.”

The Investment Challenge

Transitioning to EV servicing requires significant capital. Businesses need:

• High-voltage safety equipment and training
• Specialised diagnostic computers
• Insulated tools rated for EV battery work
• Modified workshop layouts for battery safety
• Updated insurance policies

Thompson estimates he’s spent $80,000 on equipment and training over the past 18 months. Three of his five mechanics have completed EV certification courses.

“It’s a big investment for a small business,” he acknowledged. “But what’s the alternative? Become obsolete?”

Industry Collaboration

Several Kingsgrove businesses have formed an informal cooperative to share training costs and knowledge. Monthly meetups at a local café have become a venue for discussing technical challenges and sharing solutions.

“We’re supposed to be competitors, but we’re all facing the same problems,” explained workshop owner Maria Castellano. “It makes sense to work together.”

The group has also approached a custom AI development firm about developing shared diagnostic systems that could help smaller workshops access the sophisticated computer analysis that EVs require.

Customer Behaviour Shifting

Beyond the technology, EV ownership is changing customer relationships with their mechanics.

Electric vehicles require less frequent servicing than petrol cars—no oil changes, fewer brake replacements (thanks to regenerative braking), and simpler drivetrains with fewer moving parts.

“The traditional model of seeing customers every six months for a service is disappearing,” noted Thompson. “We’re having to find new value propositions. Tyre rotations, suspension work, interior detailing—things EVs still need.”

Some businesses are pivoting toward home charging installation, a lucrative market as EV owners seek to charge at home rather than relying on public infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

The NSW Government’s target of 50% new car sales being electric by 2030 suggests the transition will only accelerate. Local business owners are cautiously optimistic about the future.

“Change is always scary,” admitted Castellano. “But the demand is there. People still need their cars serviced. We just need to learn the new skills.”

Thompson agrees: “The fundamentals of good customer service don’t change. Know your craft, be honest, do quality work. That applies whether the car runs on petrol or batteries.”

The Kingsgrove automotive precinct hosts an open day on June 21, where residents can learn about EV servicing and ask questions about electric vehicle ownership.