Updated 09/02/2026
As the UK vehicle parc continues its steady shift towards electrification, the automotive aftermarket is no longer asking if electric and hybrid vehicles will dominate, but how quickly workshops can adapt to service them effectively. In 2026, EVs and hybrids are firmly a part of day-to-day aftermarket reality, and suppliers are being challenged to deliver coverage, quality and confidence at pace.
For First Line Ltd., the transition is not a future ambition but an active strategy already in motion. The family-owned business, with more than 45 years of aftermarket experience, has spent recent years investing heavily in EV and hybrid-ready components, ensuring independent garages are equipped to support an increasingly electrified vehicle parc.
Today, First Line supplies more than 3,000 references for hybrid vehicles and a further 1,500 for electric vehicles, covering a growing number of high-volume models, including popular MG electric platforms. This breadth of coverage reflects the company’s belief that EV and hybrid servicing must be fully integrated into the independent aftermarket, not treated as a specialist niche.
Kelvin Olds, Product Director at First Line Ltd., says the pace of change has only reinforced the need for proactive aftermarket development.
“Electrification is now a permanent feature of the vehicle parc, and the aftermarket has to evolve alongside it. Garages need access to the right parts, in the right categories, with the same confidence they’ve always had in servicing internal combustion vehicles.”
That approach is reflected in First Line’s EV and hybrid range, which spans critical wear and service categories including braking, steering, suspension and wheel bearings, components that remain essential regardless of powertrain. By focusing on these high-demand areas, First Line ensures garages can service electrified vehicles without compromising on safety, performance or reliability.
Alongside electrification, sustainability continues to shape aftermarket decision-making. With increasing regulatory pressure and consumer awareness around environmental impact, First Line has placed greater emphasis on product durability, reduced waste and eco-conscious packaging initiatives. The aim is to support a more sustainable aftermarket without sacrificing quality or availability.
Quality remains a cornerstone of the company’s strategy as vehicle technology becomes more complex. Over the past year alone, First Line has introduced more than 500 new-to-range parts, contributing to a portfolio of over 50,000 products spanning 65+ categories across its 3 brands. This includes established ranges such as braking, steering and suspension, as well as driveshafts, clutches, filters, cooling components, wipers and wheel bearings.
Underpinning this expansion is First Line’s ISO9001 accreditation, in-house clutch technical centre and rigorous testing processes, all designed to ensure parts meet the demands of both traditional and electrified vehicles.
Olds adds: “The EV and hybrid transition doesn’t remove the need for quality, it raises the bar. Being first to market only matters if the product performs. Our focus is on delivering sustainable, OE-quality solutions that garages can fit with confidence, whatever the powertrain.”
As the aftermarket continues to adapt to an electrified future, First Line Ltd. remains focused on supporting independent garages with the coverage, consistency and technical assurance needed to thrive in 2026 and beyond.
To find out more about First Line EV and Hybrid range and other products available visit: https://www.firstlineltd.com. To see what vehicles are covered by First Line’s comprehensive range please visit the online catalogue at https://webcat.firstline.co.uk/Home.