Further growth needed in EV qualified technicians

Analysis of new data has revealed 22% of technicians are EV qualified but there is a shortfall in the minimum number required within the next decade.

The latest EV TechSafe data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) revealed a shift in the point when the number of technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles (EVs) falls below the minimum number required. 

According to previous figures, a shortfall could have appeared in 2029 and reached 13,000 by 2032. Now it will be 5,670 by 2032. In January 2023 there were 52,000 qualified EV technicans, up from 45,300 six months earlier.

The IMI predicts that by 2030 the sector will need more than 107,000 EV trained technicians, increasing to 139,000 by 2032, and 185,000 by 2035.

If current training trends continue, it is expected that there will be a shortfall of 30,000 EV qualified technicians by the time the ban of new ICE vehicle sales comes into force in 2035, it said.

Projections of technicians, courtesy of IMI:

Emma Carrigy, Research Manager at the IMI said: “It is encouraging to see the steady growth in EV qualified workforce, especially as the market need is now expected to be met for a least another five years.

“Of course, attracting new talent and training technicians to work safely on electrified vehicles does take time, so the industry must not be complacent or take its foot off the recruitment or training pedals.

“After all, a skills gap is still forecast and could have a significant impact on drivers’ ability to maintain and repair their electric and hybrid vehicles safely.”

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