EV techs wanted
Call to train more specialist engineers as demand for electric vehicles booms
SCOTS car dealers need to train more technicians to service electric cars as demand for EVs soars.
The Electric Vehicle Association Scotland has warned dealerships must be properly staffed as more buyers consider servicing as part of their vehicle choice.
More than 100,000 new EVs have been registered in the UK to June this year, yet data from the Institute of the Motoring Industry shows only 11 per cent of technicians are properly trained to work on EVs safely.
The IMI also highlights that the vehicle servicing sector is facing a “time bomb” of consumer confidence as drivers struggle to find garages capable of servicing their cars.
It says 75,000 EV-trained technicians are needed now across the UK. According to EVA Scotland, training technicians to the highest standards means investment and commitment to providing existing owners and those considering changing to an EV with the confidence in after-sales servicing.
EVA Scotland’s director Neil Swanson said: “Professional EV servicing now features in the decision to go all-electric, and dealerships must be adequately staffed with professionally qualified technicians to meet this rapidly expanding EV sales boom.
“Some dealerships may not be familiar with or have no previous experience of this but they are rapidly up-skilling and there are a growing number of specialist companies on hand, including members of the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair Alliance to help.
“Member garages have been checked for the right qualifications, tools and equipment to service and repair electric and hybrid vehicles.”
Both Edinburgh, and Dundee and Angus colleges already offer a suite of EV courses to support the demand for EV trained technicians.
The Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, a massive e-mobility hub in Dundee, has launched its hands-on Skills Academy to train technicians and engineers for the manufacturing, servicing and recycling of the increasing numbers of EVs.
Dr Euan McTurk, an electrochemist and EV battery engineer, said: “The uptake of EVs has been so rapid that the global supply of engineers, technicians and electrochemists is playing catch-up.
“The good news is that most of the servicing and repairs that an EV would need could be performed by any mechanic and electric vehicles are exceptionally reliable, so the chances of requiring an EV specialist to perform a repair are very slim.
“However, for the tiny fraction of work that involves the high voltage system and electronics that are unfamiliar to a petrol/diesel mechanic, EV-trained technicians are masters at fault finding and repairing and can save drivers vast sums of money versus going to a dealer who may replace a repairable component outright.”
Swanson added: “EVs require less servicing than petrol or diesel ones, though aspects such as suspensions, tyres and brakes are the same.
“The areas that can be challenging are electronics and battery management systems, including cooling, but these are not difficult provided the correct training is in place. EVs are famously reliable.”
Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, concluded: “We face a very real problem at the moment in the shortfall of EV-trained technicians.
“However, the automotive industry is a tech-led sector. With the right support from government and the industry, the number of properly skilled technicians can be achieved.”