Game changer for EV diagnostics

AUTEL’S LATEST PRODUCTS GIVE KIWI WORKSHOPS SECURE, HIGH-VOLTAGE SYSTEM TESTING AND ANALYSIS FOR THE RAPIDLY RISING EV POWERTRAIN

By now, there is absolutely no doubt that electric vehicles are not just a fad but have become a major feature of the automotive ecosystem.

Aside from the huge number of highly popular and desired EVs coming to New Zealand — such as Tesla, BYD, and Opel’s Mokka-E and Corsa-E models — traditional and respected combustionengine marques are making fast and major changes so as not to be left behind by the wave of electrification.

Ford and GM are aiming to have EVs make up 50 per cent of new cars sales by 2030. Jaguar plans to be all electric by 2025. Volkswagen, BMW, and almost every major brand are regularly adding EVs to their portfolios.

Likewise, there is a huge push by the New Zealand government toward decarbonising the transport sector. The NZ Climate Change Commission has recommended phasing out imports of fossil-fueled cars by no later than 2035. The Government’s Clean Car Discount Scheme has seen more than 57,000 light electric and non plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in its first year of operation.

These factors — combined with the globally recognised urgency of improving air quality — mean the need for traditional workshops to upskill and adapt to the electric powertrain has never been more pressing.

This is why EV diagnostics kits will be a game changer — a great gateway to expand New Zealand workshops’ business into the exciting and rapidly expanding EV service/repair sector.

To this end, Autel — a global company with significant expertise in automotive intelligent diagnosis and testing — has recently released three new products that will help Kiwi workshops expand into this market: the Autel MS909EV, UltraEV, and EV Diagnostic Kit Upgrade Package.

The MS909EV and its larger, more premium version, the UltraEV, are secure high-voltage system testing and analysis tools that include powerful hardware and intelligent software to provide reliable, comprehensive, and efficient diagnostic support. They also include the standard MS909 and standard Ultra units (respectively) — tools well known for their speed, accuracy, and ease of use with normal passenger and Asian light commercial vehicles. The new EV model specific connectors, a multi-connector cable is included and pin-outs are displayed on the tool.

If your workshop is already part of the Autel diagnostic tool family, the EV Diagnostic Kit Upgrade Package allows existing MS909, MS919, and Ultra models to be upgraded so they can safely and accurately offer the same quality of diagnostics for EV owners.

EVs and hybrids still require servicing, but the servicing they require is different and more specialised than what has been the norm. In some ways, however, this shift is no different from the introduction of common rail diesel systems in the ’90s, and like common rail to service and repair the new technology specialised equipment and technical knowledge is required. However, with these three new Autel products, the EV upskill dream for your workshops is a much closer reality.

Autel MS909EV, UltraEV, and the EV Diagnostic Kit Upgrade Package are available at your local Repco and NAPA Auto Parts. For more information