Halfords announces a groundbreaking achievement in electric vehicle servicing accessibility to mark World EV Day tomorrow.
An extensive footprint representing 80% of the UK population can now conveniently access top-tier EV servicing in under 20 minutes from their home, reiterating Halfords’ commitment to ensuring servicing is accessible in both cost and speed for the entire motoring community in the UK.
Halfords has invested heavily over the last few years in order to expand its EV servicing centres, ensuring widespread accessibility across the nation. The announcement comes on World EV Day (9 September 2024) as the number of electric cars in the UK grows at a rapid rate.
There are now around 840,000 fully electric cars on UK roads, and a further 520,000 plug-in hybrids as of the end of July 2023. The National Grid previously stated there will be 36 million electric vehicles on UK roads by 2040 – prior to the government’s policy announcement which shows this timely expansion is more important than ever in order to get the UK ready for the biggest automotive shift in a generation.
Nationwide Accessibility
From major cities to suburban areas, Halfords’ extensive network of EV servicing centres is now closer to these EV owners than ever before. This strategic expansion reinforces the company’s dedication to making electric vehicle maintenance hassle-free as the UK begins the transition away from traditional ‘ICE’ vehicles and moves to align with the forthcoming change in law that states hybrid and electric cars only are allowed to be sold from 2030, with sales becoming EV-only from 2035.
Rapid Servicing
At the heart of this achievement is a commitment to efficiency. Halfords has set an industry benchmark with its ’20-minute to reach’ servicing mark and understands the importance of minimising downtime for EV owners as also enjoyed across Halfords 650 garages by their ICE vehicle counterpart owners, allowing them to get back on the road swiftly, while still receiving top-quality service.
Investment in Skilled Technicians
To maintain this exceptional service quality, Halfords has invested significantly in training and certifying technicians who specialise in EV maintenance. Halfords has run in-house programs since 2016 and trained over 1100 technicians with these new skills, introducing EV courses at level 3 from 2018. Halfords technicians are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools, ensuring any electric vehicle is in safe hands when it’s at Halfords.
Environmental Impact
At Halfords, sustainability remains as a core pillar of this new investment. The commitment to servicing electric vehicles comes as CO2 emissions fell in 2022 by 11.2%, to 119.7g for every kilometre, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Buy Now Pay Later Option
In addition to an enhanced infrastructure for EV servicing, Halfords also announces an advantageous solution for consumers during the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.
Due to the financial challenges many are facing, Halfords now provide a zero-percent Buy Now Pay Later option, allowing customers to spread their payments over 7 months interest-free.
This provides relief to motorists and ensures that maintaining all vehicles can remain accessible during these challenging times as well as ensuring safety for other motorists with well-maintained cars.
Andy Turbefield, Head of Quality at Halfords, expressed his pride in this milestone, “On World EV Day, we are thrilled to announce that 80% of Brits can now access top-notch EV servicing within 20 minutes of their homes.
“This achievement underscores our dedication to revolutionising electric vehicle maintenance. At Halfords, we believe in making servicing as accessible to as many motorists as possible, and this accomplishment is a testament to that commitment. We look forward to continuing our journey towards a greener, more convenient future of motoring in the UK.”
RAW Charging, the go-to electric vehicle chargepoint operator for the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors, is celebrating World EV Day by offering drivers the opportunity to charge for free across a variety of destinations on Saturday 9 September 2023.
They are installed at some out of town shopping centres, hotels and leisure venues offering fast charging while customers are using facilities.
