BLOG The lack of trained EV technicians is a looming crisis

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grace our headlines, whether it’s a comment on the perceived lack of EV charging infrastructure, confirmation of increased road tax for EVs alongside the government-mandated ban on internal combustion engines and worries of EV-specific insurance cost increases. That’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as I can see – we’re still running head-first into one of the most concerning skills shortages we might see in the 21st century; the lack of trained TechSafe EV technicians.

The IMI’s latest EV TechSafe certification data shows only 58,800 technicians are now qualified to work on electric vehicles, representing just 24% of the UK automotive workforce. That’s not enough when you consider that there are over 1,190,000 fully electric cars on UK roads.

However, based on the forecast increase in EVs on UK roads, the IMI is currently predicting a shortfall of 3,000 technicians by 2031. The gap is expected to reach 16,000 by 2035 according to this most recent report. Moreover, it’s not just the lack of technicians, but where they’re located in the UK, which seems to be the new concern.

Without enough qualified TechSafe EV technicians, I believe the rapid adoption of electric vehicles could stall, leading to safety risks, delayed repairs, and stunted growth in the EV industry.

As demand for electric vehicles surges, the pressure on the industry to train and certify technicians is mounting, making this shortage a critical bottleneck that could undermine the transition to greener transportation.

The implications of this skills shortage extend far beyond just vehicle maintenance. As electric vehicles become more complex, with advanced software, battery systems, and high-voltage components, the expertise required to service and repair them goes beyond what traditional automotive technicians are trained to handle, hence having to go through a stand-alone TechSafe training.

To address this looming crisis, a coordinated effort is required. Educational institutions, automotive companies, and governments must collaborate to develop and fund programmes that can quickly train a new generation of EV technicians.

This includes updating the curriculum to include the latest EV technologies, providing incentives for students to pursue careers in this field, and ensuring that current technicians have access to upskilling opportunities.

Only by taking proactive steps now can we hope to build a robust and sustainable support system for the electric vehicle revolution. That extends far beyond just upfront EV pricing and charging, and into investment into a skilled workforce to service and maintain them for the future. The industry relies on us having TechSafe technicians, now and into the next phase of EV sales.

Lawrence Whittaker is CEO of Warrantywise