GSO campaign gives garages an EV market edge

A new campaign which aims to help independent garages capitalise on the rapidly growing hybrid and EV market has been launched by Garage Services Online (GSO).

The ‘EV Edge’ initiative is designed to support garages that have invested in EV skills and equipment in becoming the go-to choice for the MOT, servicing and repairs of hybrid and EVs.

A GiPA report in 2021 found that 57% of EV drivers change their garage, seeking out an EV specialist instead.

GSO promises to help workshops gain a competitive edge by improving their search engine rankings for keywords related to the hybrid and EV work they want, boosting organic lead generation and attracting more customers.

For a limited time, garages that sign up for an ‘EV Edge’ GSO website will get an 18-month subscription for the price of just 12 monthly payments.

The offer, which includes six months free, provides workshops with extended support and increased visibility to local EV owners without any additional cost.

There are more than 1.19 million fully electric cars and another 680,000 plug-in hybrids on UK roads, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders.

Some 205,700 EVs were registered on UK roads by 2020, increasing to 396,500 in 2021. By 2022, more than 663,700 EVs were registered, increasing to 978,400 in 2023 and almost 1.2 million so far this year.

GSO managing director Jim Lang said: “With the number of EVs on our roads continuing to grow, many workshops are recognising the crucial need to invest in EV training and equipment.

“However, to truly capitalise on this burgeoning market, it’s essential that garages also focus on effectively marketing their EV capabilities. Investing in training is just the beginning — garages must also ensure that potential customers know about their EV expertise.”

“These numbers become especially important for garages when EVs come of MOT age at three years old,” said Lang.

“With the demand for workshops capable of working on EVs increasing, now is the perfect time for garages to position themselves as a hybrid and EV specialist.”

To register an interest in the campaign, click here.