Meet Our EV-Certified Technicians
EV repair takes more than a general mechanic's toolkit. Meet the service team at Bob Howard Chevrolet trained specifically on GM's Ultium electric platform — the technicians who keep Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV owners on the road.
Direct Answer: Who can fix an EV in Oklahoma City?
Not every shop in Oklahoma City is set up to work on an EV — high-voltage battery packs and electric drive units require training a general repair shop typically doesn't have. Bob Howard Chevrolet's service technicians are trained through General Motors' EV service curriculum, which covers Chevrolet's Ultium-based electric vehicles specifically, so EV owners aren't stuck hunting for a shop qualified to safely service their vehicle.
How GM Trains EV Service Technicians
Chevrolet dealership technicians don't learn EV service on the job alone — GM runs a formal training pipeline behind every certified tech.
GM Service Technical College
GM's Service Technical College trains technicians across more than 4,200 U.S. dealerships using a blended curriculum of classroom instruction and hands-on work directly with GM vehicles, including current EV models. Technicians work toward annual Service Training Standards that align with ASE certification categories.
ASE Certification Alignment
GM's training program is built to align with ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification standards, combining manufacturer-specific EV knowledge with the industry-recognized benchmark most shoppers already associate with a qualified technician.
That training matters because an EV service visit isn't just an oil change with different paperwork — it covers the entire electric powertrain, and getting it wrong carries real safety stakes that a general mechanic's training doesn't prepare for.
How Long Certification Takes
A baseline EV certification through a manufacturer program typically runs 40 to 80 hours of combined classroom instruction and hands-on high-voltage safety exercises. Reaching full proficiency across diagnostics, battery module service, and thermal management generally takes another 6 to 12 months of real hands-on exposure beyond that initial certification.
Dealership Facility Standards
Servicing EVs at the dealership level also means meeting manufacturer facility requirements — a minimum number of dedicated Level 2 charging ports and, for certain models, at least one DC fast charger on-site, all installed to the manufacturer's specifications. Dealerships that don't maintain these standards risk losing their EV inventory allocation entirely.
Dealership Service vs. General Repair Shops
For gas vehicle maintenance, an independent shop is often a reasonable choice. For EV service, the gap between a manufacturer-trained shop and a general repair shop is much wider.
| Service Need | Dealership (GM-Trained) | General Repair Shop |
|---|---|---|
| High-voltage battery diagnostics | Trained and equipped for Ultium-platform EVs | Often lacks specific EV high-voltage training |
| Drive-unit and motor service | Factory procedures and GM diagnostic tools | Varies widely by shop |
| Warranty-covered repairs | Performed under GM warranty coverage | May void EV-specific warranty coverage |
| Tire rotation & brake service | Included as routine EV maintenance | Generally available |
Routine items like tire rotations and brake service are simple enough that most shops can handle them on any vehicle, EV included. The gap widens fast once the job touches the battery pack, drive unit, or anything under warranty — that's where GM-trained technicians and factory diagnostic tools make the real difference.
Check warranty coverage before an independent repair
Some EV-specific repairs performed outside a GM dealership can affect warranty coverage on the battery or drive unit. If your Chevy EV is still under warranty, it's worth confirming coverage terms before choosing where high-voltage work gets done.
That warranty coverage is exactly where factory training pays off most. Chevy EV batteries carry an 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage battery warranty covering defects and capacity loss below roughly 70-75% within that window — but confirming whether a given issue actually qualifies takes diagnostic tools and training a general shop typically doesn't have. Our technicians can identify whether a battery or drive-unit issue is a warranty-covered defect before any repair work begins, rather than you paying out of pocket for something GM should cover.
What EV Maintenance Actually Looks Like
Skipping oil changes doesn't mean an EV needs no maintenance at all — it just shifts what needs attention.
Less Brake Wear, Not Zero
Regenerative braking does most of the everyday slowing down, which dramatically reduces brake pad wear compared to a gas vehicle. But brake fluid and calipers still need periodic inspection, since infrequent use of the physical brakes can actually lead to corrosion if they're never exercised.
Two Batteries, Two Jobs
Every EV still carries a conventional 12-volt battery alongside the high-voltage pack — it powers accessories, lights, and the onboard computers, and needs periodic replacement just like in a gas vehicle. The high-voltage battery pack also relies on its own coolant loop for thermal management, which needs periodic service separate from any 12V system work.
Tire wear is another area where EVs diverge from gas vehicles. The added weight of a battery pack, combined with instant torque from an electric motor, tends to wear tires faster than on a comparable gas vehicle — which is why more frequent tire rotation and tread checks are part of a properly run EV maintenance schedule, not an upsell. Many EVs also ship with low-rolling-resistance tires specifically chosen to protect the manufacturer's rated range, so replacing them with a generic tire at replacement time can quietly shrink your real-world range even if the tread pattern looks similar.
What Our EV Service Team Handles
Beyond the EV-specific items above, routine and specialized service both still matter — the same certified service team that maintains our gas Chevy lineup carries that same standard into EV service instead of treating it as a separate department.
Our EV-certified technicians handle everything from tire rotations and brake service to high-voltage battery and drive-unit diagnostics across the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV. Anyone deciding whether to make the switch in the first place can start with our Chevy EV ownership guide for Oklahoma City, and anyone ready to order can reserve a Silverado EV directly with our team.
Keeping service records with a factory-trained dealer also matters down the road: a documented history of dealer-performed maintenance and battery diagnostics is exactly what a future buyer — or their lender — wants to see if you ever trade in or sell your Chevy EV, since it shows the high-voltage system was actually inspected by someone qualified to catch a real problem early. It's the same reason a well-documented service history has always mattered for gas vehicle resale value — EV buyers are simply looking for it on the battery and drive unit instead of the engine and transmission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can fix an EV in Oklahoma City?
Bob Howard Chevrolet's service technicians are trained through General Motors' EV service curriculum, covering high-voltage battery and drive-unit diagnostics on Chevrolet's Ultium-based electric vehicles.
Can I take my Chevy EV to any repair shop?
You can, but not every shop is equipped or trained for high-voltage EV systems, and some independent repairs can affect EV-specific warranty coverage. A GM-trained dealership service team is built specifically for this work.
What kind of training do GM EV technicians receive?
Technicians train through GM's Service Technical College, a blended program of classroom instruction and hands-on work with GM vehicles, working toward Service Training Standards aligned with ASE certification categories.
Does an EV need the same maintenance as a gas vehicle?
No. EVs eliminate oil changes and most engine-related service, but still need tire rotations, brake service, and periodic battery and drive-unit checks performed by EV-certified technicians.
Will an independent repair void my Chevy EV's warranty?
It can, depending on the repair. High-voltage battery and drive-unit work performed outside a GM dealership may affect warranty coverage — check your specific terms before choosing where that work gets done.
Which Chevy EV models does Bob Howard service?
Our EV-certified technicians service the full current Chevy EV lineup, including the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV.
How long does it take to become an EV-certified technician?
Baseline EV certification typically takes 40 to 80 hours of classroom and hands-on high-voltage training, with another 6 to 12 months of real-world experience needed to reach full proficiency across diagnostics, battery service, and thermal management.
How long is a Chevy EV's battery covered under warranty?
Chevy EV batteries carry an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty (whichever comes first), covering defects and capacity loss below roughly 70-75% within that window. A factory-trained technician can confirm whether an issue actually qualifies before any repair work begins.
Does a Chevy EV still have a 12-volt battery?
Yes. Every Chevy EV carries a separate 12-volt battery for accessories, lighting, and onboard computers, alongside the high-voltage propulsion battery. It needs periodic replacement just like the 12V battery in a gas vehicle.
