Britain to ‘run out’ of electric vehicle mechanics by 2030

Britain will run out of mechanics to service the growing number of electric vehicles by the end of the decade.

That’s the conclusion of a think-tank the Social Market Foundation, which warned of a skills shortfall among mechanics trained to service and repair electric vehicles (EVs).

The SMF report highlights industry estimates   that by 2027 there will not be enough qualified mechanics to maintain all of Britain’s EVs.  By 2030, the country could face a shortfall of 25,000 qualified technicians.

The SMF is calling for Government to step up work to prepare the British workforce for Net Zero, supporting efforts to recruit and train more workers with the skills needed to maintain EVs. Those skills are significantly different to those required to maintain internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Many ICE mechanics receive informal on-the-job training, but the SMF warned that since EV maintenance involves working with high-voltage electricity, that approach could be inappropriate and even dangerous.

“Formalised, professional and accredited training routes to prepare technicians for EV repair and maintenance are needed”, the report said. Reforms should allow more of the money paid by larger employers for the Apprenticeship Levy to be used to fund that training, the SMF said.

The SMF report is based on interviews with mechanics and technicians and industry experts. It highlights concerns that the skills gap could raise the cost of repairs or reduce the quality of repairs, which would decrease consumers’ willingness to make the switch to EVs.