Industry experts are warning Aussies are putting themselves in serious danger if they use artificial intelligence to help fix electric vehicles.
The warning comes as research shows a growing number of Aussies are turning to AI for car maintenance advice, with some saying the technology has given them the confidence to attempt repairs they previously would have left to a professional.
However, the risk is particularly concerning with EVs.
Last month saw Australian electric vehicle sales more than triple year-on-year to their second-best sales month on record.
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Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) alone have seen a 280 per cent increase in Australian sales since 2022.
Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Jones warns of the dangerous consequences Aussies face when using AI for DIY EV repairs.
“The bigger risks occur with EVs because they operate at between 400 and 800 volts, depending on the battery and vehicle,” Mr Jones said.
“You will find people who drive EVs are more tech-savvy because they love the technologies that are in these cars, and they may use AI more often.
“EVs, where you don’t respect them and don’t treat them appropriately, can be even more dangerous than an internal combustion engine vehicle.”
According to Mr Jones, AI can be useful in helping owners understand warning messages, but it should not replace a qualified mechanic.
“AI can be a useful tool to help you pick up on what a warning light means without manually reading through the entire owner’s manual,” he said.
“But if there’s actually something wrong with the car, there’s no substitute for a trained technician.”
New research from mycar Tyre & Auto suggests Australians are already becoming more confident in using AI to carry out various car maintenance tasks themselves.
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Based on a national survey of 2,025 vehicle owners, 47 per cent said they trusted AI tools or chatbots to support decisions about servicing their vehicles.
The statistics extend beyond simple car maintenance tasks, such as changing a windscreen wiper.
Aussies are taking on more complex jobs with the help of AI, with 17 per cent saying it had made them comfortable replacing air filters, 14 per cent rotating tyres, 14 per cent replacing fuel filters and 12 per cent replacing brake pads.
However, more concerning was that one in three Australians said they trusted AI recommendations as much as, or more than, advice from a professional technician.
“People do trust it because the answers come back so confidently and so quickly,” Mr Jones said.
“Even if you get the diagnosis right, it doesn’t mean you’re going to repair it right.
“They need to be made safe and dealt with by a professional.”
The warning stems from the fact that most modern cars are equipped with cameras, sensors, and electronic control systems. Faults in these systems may seem simple, but in reality, they are difficult to diagnose.
And Peter Jones is not the only expert concerned with the rise of AI.
Managing Director at mycar, Sylvain Borré, has also offered a blunt truth about AI, saying “it’s not a replacement for expert care.”
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“AI tools consider vehicle servicing questions in isolation – based on the prompt provided to them – and can’t take a holistic view and comprehensive assessment of the vehicle,” Mr Borré said.
“At mycar, we see AI as a way to support better conversations and help drivers make smarter decisions about their vehicles, but it’s important to not place all your trust on AI tools.”
RACQ Principal Technical Researcher Andrew Kirk also recently said: “While AI tools, internet searches and advice from well-meaning friends can provide general information, they cannot physically inspect a vehicle, accurately diagnose every fault, or verify that a repair has been performed correctly,”
“Attempting to diagnose and repair vehicle faults without appropriate training and equipment can result in critical safety issues being missed or incorrectly repaired.”