Author: Richard Robinson
The rapid growth of EVs in the UK continues to mean that many parts of the traditional petrol/diesel infrastructure used to maintain, service and fuel today’s cars are struggling to keep EVs on the road.
We are all aware of concerns about the UK’s charging infrastructure, but one of the less well-known issues is the need for people to maintain EVs; perhaps this is because the justified perception is that they need less servicing. However, the rapid growth in EVs is such that the shortage of qualified EV technicians is genuine. It is also helping to add to insurance costs for EVs.
Training is available from organisations such as the IMI, which offers nationally recognised, vocational and vocationally related qualifications for EV work. The challenge is ensuring more people are trained and addressing this is overcoming scale, speed cost and ‘value’ concerns.
Richard Robinson from aftersales experts RTC notes: “There are more than 42,500 vehicle service and repair locations of all types across the UK, according to the SMMT, so there is no shortage of garages. However, there is already a shortage of technicians to repair ICE vehicles. The sector needs help to make the step change required.”
Building on Richard’s observation, while businesses may want to get their team members up to speed with EV repairs, the cost and reduced need for routine servicing are making many reluctant to make the commitment. The sector needs financial help from the government to make this crucial infrastructure step, mirroring the incentives on offer that have driven new EV sales.
Funding support will be required to support the broader EV ecosystem and address today’s very real challenges of EV car ownership. This includes the shortage of skilled EV technicians, which risks making aftermarket servicing more of a challenge.
Richard concludes: “From school children to experienced technicians, the country needs help to get everyone up to speed with electrification.”
