An independent accident repair business that began in Hemel Hempstead has been honoured with a national sustainability award, underlining how small firms in the repair sector are cutting running costs while preparing for the shift to electric vehicles.
Gold award for greener practices
Hardings Accident Repair Centre, founded in Hemel Hempstead in 2009 and now operating from Dunstable, received the gold prize at the National Body Repair Association’s Greener Bodyshop Awards. The accolade was handed over during a ceremony at the CBS Arena in Coventry earlier this month.
The award recognises practical, often incremental measures that reduce a workshop’s environmental footprint and, crucially for business owners, shrink operating bills. The director, Chris Watts, outlined the centre’s approach as a mix of energy efficiency, better waste handling and preparation for the growing prevalence of electric vehicles.
“Winning the Greener Body Shop Gold Award was a really proud moment for everyone at Hardings Accident Repair Centre,”
Watts said the business had adopted LED lighting throughout its facilities, improved disposal and recycling of paints and other workshop waste, and where possible used green parts to extend the life of vehicle components. He added the firm was investing in training and equipment to carry out repairs on electric vehicles.
What this means for costs, jobs and standards
The measures singled out by the award do more than burnish credentials. Upgrading to LEDs and tightening waste management commonly reduce energy and disposal bills, which can be significant overheads for bodyshops. That matters for customers: lower fixed costs can help restrain price rises for repair work in a market facing inflationary pressure on parts and labour.
At the same time, the emphasis on electric vehicle readiness is a reminder of the skills gap the industry faces. Working safely on EVs requires specific training and equipment; firms that invest early can capture work on newer vehicles, while others risk losing market share or facing higher compliance costs later.
- Established: 2009 in Hemel Hempstead
- Relocated: moved to Dunstable in 2015
- Award: NBRA Greener Bodyshop Awards, gold, presented at the CBS Arena in Coventry (September 2026)
| Action | Business impact |
|---|---|
| LED lighting | Lower energy bills, reduced maintenance |
| Recycling paint/workshop waste | Reduced disposal costs, compliance benefits |
| Use of green parts | Cost-efficient repairs, waste reduction |
| EV training & equipment | Access to new work, avoids future compliance lag |
Recognition such as this may also influence insurers and vehicle manufacturers when they set repair networks and pricing frameworks. Bodyshops demonstrating efficient operations and EV competence are more likely to be chosen for approved repairer lists, which can drive volumes and steady incomes.
Scaling green practices across the sector
Smaller repairers watching Hardings’ example face questions about financing upgrades. LED retrofits and staff training require upfront expenditure even if they pay back over time. The industry will be watching whether insurers, local authorities or trade bodies step in with incentives or guidance to speed adoption.
Finally, while this award celebrates progress, it is not a panacea. The transition to electric vehicles will reshape parts supply chains, equipment needs and health and safety protocols. Firms that combine immediate cost-saving measures with longer-term investment in EV capability will be better placed to protect margins and jobs as the vehicle fleet changes.
The NBRA prize for Hardings points to a broader trend: sustainability and technical readiness are becoming core to competitiveness in the vehicle repair market, not optional extras.
