Electric vehicle training too slow to meet demand
New data from the Institute of the Motor Industry has revealed that investment in electric vehicle training is slowing down.
The latest IMI TechSafe data found that the number of technicians securing electric vehicle qualifications fell 13% from the first quarter of last year to the third quarter, with just 26% of technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles.
It found that 2,613 technicians achieved EV qualifications in the third quarter and predicted that number would fall again to 2,580 in the fourth quarter.
Based on current trends, it expects there to be 137,000 qualified EV-technicians by 2032 and 193,000 by 2035. However, this is 44,000 below expected demand.
Pace of training
Emma Carrigy, head of research, policy and inclusion at the IMI, said: “The latest IMI TechSafe EV forecast suggests that the pace of training is misaligned with current and future demand, and is likely to fall short of what is needed to support the UK’s ZEV targets.
“With our analysis expecting even lower EV certifications for quarter four, unless there is a significant acceleration in training, the gap between the number of EV-trained technicians and those required will widen dangerously in the next five to 10 years.
“And with training levels varying significantly between employers and regions, with independent workshops often less able to invest ahead of demand, there is a strong risk of a postcode lottery as the second-hand EV market grows.”
She concluded: “It is vital that EV owners and those who aspire to become one, have confidence that their vehicle can be safely, affordably and conveniently serviced throughout their lifetime. A visible, qualified and geographically distributed service and repair workforce is therefore a critical enabler of sustained EV adoption.
“Employers need urgent support from government to ensure EV drivers don’t face a postcode lottery for servicing and repairs.”
