The adoption of electric vehicles continues to expand across the world owing to the governments’ and industry’s collaborative efforts in promoting the technology. However, the major shift to the transportation sector presented a new challenge that may burden drivers if not addressed.
The current number of qualified technicians worldwide does not match the demand of the millions of electric vehicles that need maintenance and repair services. In effect, it may raise the costs of maintenance, repair, and warranty for drivers. It emerges as one of the potential barriers that may impede the world’s carbon neutrality targets.
Training and equipment costs discourage vehicle repair shops from retooling
Reuters indicated that technician training institutions, repairers, and warranty providers across Milan-Melbourne-Malibu claim that independent repair shops are key to reducing the costs of EVs as they are cheaper than franchise dealers.
However, the necessary training and equipment to retool a traditional vehicle repair shop is expensive, especially for 400-800 volt EVs that can instantly kill untrained technicians.
Apart from that, they also worry about the batteries’ fire risks, lack of charging infrastructures, and slow uptake in certain countries.
For instance, a Milan-based independent repair shop owner refuses to invest 30,000 euros to buy the necessary equipment as Italy’s EV sales remain apparently low.
“I am seven years away from retirement and I think it is not worth it.”
Roberto Petrilli, Milan-based independent repair shop owner
Shortage forecasts
England’s Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) projects that the upcoming sales ban for new fossil-fuel vehicles in 2030 can result in a shortage of 25,000 EV technicians.
It further indicated that 20% of British auto technicians have already undergone EV training. However, just 1% of them can perform more complex repairs than routine maintenance.
The IMI also reported that the UK’s EV sales surged 33% in H1 2023. Meanwhile, EV qualifications dropped 10% in Q1 and about 31% in Q2 from last year.
In addition, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the industry to need roughly 80,000 electrician jobs per year through 2031 for fixing EVs and installing chargers. It also indicated that the country has 655,330 auto service technicians and mechanics. Of that total, just 3,100 (1.4%) have EV-specific certifications, AB reported.
Moreover, the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce projects Australia to witness a shortage of 9,000 EV technicians by 2030.
All that said, industry experts worry that mechanics and repair shop owners will continue refusing to join the EV shift. In effect, EV owners will suffer from increasing bills and longer repair waits.
Warrantywise’s data (via Reuters) revealed that such costs are already increasing. For instance, the Tesla Model 3’s one-year warrant is now three times higher than its conventional vehicle counterpart.
“How are people going to afford the higher repair costs?”
Warrantywise CEO Lawrence Whittaker
Relevant initiatives
The IMI aims to address the looming EV technician shortage by offering EV courses throughout China, with plans to reach India and Europe.
Moreover, it is also applying for £15 million of funding from the UK Government for its independent repairers training programs.
The Siemens Foundation announced a $30 million project in the US to train American auto technicians in EV charger maintenance and installations to manage the “tremendous and immediate” need for such a labor force.
The Motor Traders’ Association of New South Wales (MTA NSW) also suggests incentivizing EV training to address the shortage issue. It estimates that basic EV training will total AU$100 million for the state’s almost 50,000 licensed auto technicians.
See Also:
- UK: IMI warns of looming EV technicians shortage
- Tesla Semi: To launch ‘Semi Service Program’ as it ramps up hiring for technicians
- What does the future hold for traditional auto mechanics if tomorrow is electric?
- Australia needs to train 100,000 mechanics in EV repairs and maintenance
- Britain is projected to face a critical shortage of EV mechanics by 2030
The unstoppable growth of electric vehicles highlights the need for more EV-qualified technicians to aid drivers with their car problems across the world. For those interested in becoming an EV-specific technician/mechanic, below are the guidelines provided by wikiHow:
- Register for an EV training program at a trade school
- Get an associate’s degree in EV tech
- Take internships/apprenticeships
- Get an entry-level job at an EV dealership
- Get an ASE certification to have an advantage, but it is not mandatory
