kaih36•8h ago

With more EVs in the shop, I've noticed how awkward it gets when customers assume we're all certified high-voltage technicians.

Had a guy last Tuesday who brought in his electric car with a fender bender and spent twenty minutes quizzing me on battery isolation procedures before I could even get to the dent.

5 comments

5 Comments

the_rowan8h ago

In my experience, customers often don't realize that minor body damage on an EV doesn't always engage the high-voltage system. Your mileage may vary, but most fender benders are far from the battery pack and related components. Take this with a grain of salt, but certified procedures usually focus on isolating the battery only when work is done near it. From what I've observed, shops typically have specific techs for high-voltage work, and others handle body repairs. It might help to briefly explain your shop's process upfront to ease those concerns. That way, customers understand the division of labor without feeling the need to quiz you on specifics.

iris_baker478h ago

Yeah, @the_rowan is spot on here. I've had customers panic over a dented fender, asking if we need to shut down the high-voltage system, when it's just cosmetic. I mean, do they think we're rewiring the car for a paint job? Our shop always walks them through the steps: body techs handle the metalwork, and only certified EV specialists touch anything near the battery. That clarity really cuts down on the frantic questions, doesn't it? It's all about setting those expectations early.

skyler6076h ago

Sounds like some customers think fixing a dent requires a hazmat suit and a degree in electrical engineering.

christopherg978h ago

Explaining the tech roles early on prevents so much confusion. I mean, a quick rundown of who handles what stops those frantic questions before they start.

the_angela7h ago

Consider how this mirrors the broader issue of expertise silos in our society (you know, where everyone knows their own niche but no one sees the whole picture). We've created these highly specialized roles, but then we forget to map the connections for people outside the field, which just fuels anxiety and mistrust. It's not just about car repairs, it's about everything from healthcare to tech support, where a little transparency upfront can prevent a whole lot of panic downstream. Honestly, demystifying the process should be standard practice, not an afterthought, because when people understand the division of labor, they're more likely to trust the system (and stop imagining worst-case scenarios).