Matt Cleevely, founder of Cleevely EV, delivered a clear message to independent garages at Automechanika Birmingham 2025: the time to enter the EV servicing market is now. Speaking at the Workshop Hub, Cleevely drew a strong crowd as he outlined how early adoption and practical experience helped his family-run garage evolve into a nationally recognised EV operation.
Cleevely shared the journey of his Cheltenham-based business, which now includes:
▪ An 8,000 sq ft EV workshop
▪ A 4,000 sq ft EV retail showroom
▪ A mobile servicing fleet staffed by 12 trained EV technicians
He explained that success came not from waiting for EV demand to arrive, but from building the capacity in advance. “We built the capability first, gained hands-on experience, and grew as the market matured,” Cleevely told attendees.
In a myth-busting segment, Cleevely argued that starting with EV servicing doesn’t require heavy capital investment. Core safety training, a basic toolset, and a proactive mindset are enough to get going. “The real investment is in mindset and confidence,” he said.
The session also covered:
▪ High-voltage insulation testing
▪ Mobile service models for EVs
▪ Tyre replacement demand for electric vehicles
▪ Live demonstrations using a Nissan Leaf
Garage professionals who missed Tuesday’s presentation have more opportunities to engage:
▪ Live demos: Wednesday 11:30–12:30 & 14:00–15:00; Thursday 10:00–11:00 & 13:00–14:00
▪ Panel discussion: “Future of EVs in the Independent Aftermarket” on Wednesday at 10:30 AM
As EV adoption accelerates across the UK, workshops face mounting pressure to adapt. Matt Cleevely’s message resonates beyond Automechanika: that readiness for EV servicing is not about scale, but mindset. His emphasis on early action, mobile servicing, and tyre replacement aligns with key trends — from decentralised service models to the rising importance of tyre maintenance in EVs. The independent aftermarket has a clear opportunity to lead, but timing is critical.
Tagged with: EV servicing, Matt Cleevely, Cleevely EV, electric vehicles, aftermarket, independent garages, mobile EV servicing, EV tyre demand, Automechanika Birmingham
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