New venture aims to help garages with EV battery and high-voltage component repair

A new business has launched to offer independent garages and bodyshops across the UK and Ireland a “repair-first solution” for electric vehicle batteries and high-voltage components.

As electric vehicles continue to gain market share, investments in the specialised equipment and knowledge required to repair EV batteries and electric motors remain prohibitively expensive for many repairers, especially given unpredictable work volumes in the relatively early stages of EV adoption.

The new business – LKQ Electriq – is the result of a partnership between LKQ and leading UK electric vehicle repair specialist, Electriq.

LKQ Electriq aims to offer garages the opportunity to retain their customers – and even attract new ones – as they move to electric vehicles.

In the event a vehicle is in need of more complex and advanced repairs, the garage will still be able to offer the solution with no need for extensive upfront investment, and in doing so, continue to compete with the OEM dealers.

LKQ Electriq will be headed up by Matt Copp and Kevin Pearce, both known in the automotive industry for their EV repair expertise at Cedar Electric.

“Over the past decade, we have worked to prove that safe and reliable EV battery and high-voltage component repairs can be delivered outside OEM channels,” said Copp. “With LKQ Electriq, we bring that capability directly to garages and bodyshops – enabling them to say ‘yes’ to EV repair work they might otherwise have to decline. Our unique repair solutions avoid the need for a full battery replacement – keeping EVs running more sustainably.”

“Crucially, we are here to support garages and bodyshops, not compete with them. And for those already offering EV repair services, we want to work alongside them – helping to champion sector-wide progress and capability as electrification takes off,” he added.

Kevan Wooden, CEO of LKQ UK & Ireland, commented: “We recognise that while some workshops are developing their own EV specialisms, many others want to stay focused on core body repairs and everyday EV servicing and maintenance.

“LKQ Electriq gives those businesses a trusted partner they can turn to – combining LKQ’s scale and resources with Matt and Kevin’s unrivalled expertise to ensure they can get every customer back on the road, whatever the scope of the repair.”