Filiph has loved vehicles since childhood and follows Formula1 passionately. He describes himself as a calm person who is adaptable and flexible. He loves being in environments where he can develop. Perhaps it was this that made him jump on the journey with SHIFT as the second person to join the company. We jump forward four years and find him now as Team Leader for both the Swedish and Danish markets. With the journey Filiph has made, we were curious to hear more about him and his take on the electrification of society. This is a new series of posts called SHIFTing Perspectives where we interview people from SHIFT about their lives and perspectives of EV. Hope you will join us!
Who is Filiph? What do you like to do in your spare time?
I've been living in Stockholm for a year with my partner. I really enjoy spending time with family and friends. It's the simple things that bring me the most happiness – sharing meals, casual hangouts, long walks, and just being together. Having someone to talk to and enjoying uncomplicated activities is what truly matters!
What do you do at SHIFT?
I work as Team Leader, where I oversee technical teams in both Sweden and Denmark. As their direct manager and mentor, I am responsible for addressing any issues or queries they may have regarding their roles or the company. My duties also include assisting them with their daily tasks, managing bookings, and facilitating effective communication between our technicians and customers.
I've been interested in vehicles since I was little, so it was natural for me to go to automotive school. Then I got a job as a car mechanic. After a few years, SHIFT contacted me, and I was very interested right away. It's a huge development and a big step forward compared to being a regular car mechanic. To have the opportunity to work with heavy-duty vehicles, but also fully electric vehicles full time. In the past, I had only driven electric vehicles. So, when I was contacted and informed of the startup of SHIFT, the answer was yes. I started as an electric vehicle field service technician for three years. Subsequently, as the team in Sweden expanded, the need for a team leader arose, and I was approached for the role.
What is the best thing about working at SHIFT?
There are short decision paths and a lot of personal responsibility, which I appreciate. I think it contributes to the development of individuals. And then there is the difference that we only work with fully electric vehicles, which makes us very unique. In my role at SHIFT, I feel that I develop a lot all the time and learn new things and I think that is extremely important. I enjoy visiting customers and building relationships. There are also incredible colleagues here. It's a company that cares about its employees and shows gratitude when you help out. So, there are many benefits.
The primary reason lies in the significant environmental benefits. Having a fleet of 100 electric buses is far more eco-friendly compared to the same number of diesel-powered ones. Public transport users enjoy a more comfortable experience, characterized by quiet and smoother rides. Beyond the vehicles, society benefits from reduced noise pollution. While electric vehicles might have a higher initial cost, they prove more cost-effective in the long run due to extended intervals between service appointments, reduced taxes, and faster, more efficient maintenance. Moreover, investing in a greener fleet earns positive acclaim for the company, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.
What do you think are the challenges companies face when switching to electric vehicles?
The main challenge lies in the lack of expertise and knowledge about electric vehicles. Learning about a completely new driveline and vehicle type can be daunting, especially with specific training requirements from manufacturers. Training employees and ensuring safety protocols in workshops are crucial hurdles in this transition process.
How do you think those challenges can be overcome?
In short, overcoming those challenges can only be done through education. If you are going to invest in electric vehicles, you also need to invest in training for your employees. Educate your staff, making sure they have all the equipment and knowledge required. The best thing is for management to be firm on these procedures from the start, that's how you get a long-lasting change. Better to set everything from the beginning together with the team and then continuously follow up on the guidelines.
“There is no feeling that strengthens your self-confidence as much as when you solve something. Sometimes you can troubleshoot for 10 minutes, but sometimes you can spend four days on a problem. And once you find the error, there's not much that compares to that feeling.”
Filiph Alm
What prejudices do you think people might have when it comes to EVs or electrifying their fleet?
Many individuals lack a deep understanding of vehicles and EV systems, leading to misconceptions. One common misunderstanding is the belief that working with EVs is complicated. In reality, with the right tools, handling EVs can be smooth and efficient. Additionally, there's a misconception that professionals within commercial EVs solely replace spare parts, but that is not the case. Our work involves in-depth analysis of components, and performing internal diagnostics to perform the needed repairs and maintenance.
There are many misconceptions about our field of work, that all components and repairs only take to connect the computer and update software, or that commercial EVs are clean and tidy. But it is heavy machinery even if it is an electric vehicle. If you have the right equipment and knowledge, it's really fun. There is no feeling that strengthens your self-confidence as much as when you solve something. Sometimes you can troubleshoot for 10 minutes, but sometimes you can spend four days on a problem. And once you find the error, there's not much that compares to that feeling.
“A common saying suggests that while sales may sell the initial vehicle, it's the aftersales experience that sells all subsequent vehicles. Once customers have the opportunity to test the initial vehicle and become familiar, their focus shifts to the vehicle's real-world performance. How does it handle in traffic? Are we provided with the necessary repair assistance and access to spare parts? These are often the key factors that influence whether customers decide to make additional purchases in the future or not.”
Filiph Alm
We aim to be the Nordic region's leading company in the aftermarket for heavy-duty electric vehicles and to be there for companies that want and need guidance. To offer support and services to facilitate this transformation. While we don't produce or sell products, we specialize in ensuring the smooth operation of the aftermarket.
A common saying suggests that while sales may sell the initial vehicle, it's the aftersales experience that sells all subsequent vehicles. Once customers have the opportunity to test the initial vehicle and become familiar, their focus shifts to the vehicle's real-world performance. How does it handle in traffic? Are we provided with the necessary repair assistance and access to spare parts? These are often the key factors that influence whether customers decide to make additional purchases in the future or not. That's right. We want to be part of that switch to electric vehicles. To assist companies with knowledge and skills.
We get a lot of questions about working with vehicles and electricity. "A new workshop is opening, what do we need to think about? How do we need to build? What do we need to buy? What kind of tools should we use? What do we need to be able to troubleshoot?".
Our aim is to serve as a solid support system and offer training to bridge that knowledge gap, thereby completing the entire cycle. This approach is particularly relevant when addressing challenges and preconceptions. By putting these to the test and demonstrating our commitment to providing support and assistance, we aim to dispel many of these preconceived notions.
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