Nick Connor, chief executive officer of the Institute of the Motor Industry, insists investment in electric vehicles training is needed after a big increase in EVs over the last three years.
He said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see how the EV market has evolved to give motorists more choice.
“Now what we need is for the sector outside the factory gates to accelerate its investment in EV training so that motorists can have confidence that they will be able to find a garage that can support their vehicle servicing and maintenance needs without experiencing delay.
“The most recent EV TechSafe Technician Forecast underlined the urgent need for change to keep the workforce and road users safe as vehicles become more complex.
“Currently just 35 per cent of technicians are qualified to repair and service them safely. Without a faster increase in training uptake, there is a very serious risk that technician availability will become a barrier to EV adoption.
“Pressure on technician capacity is already increasing and there is now a very limited window in which to expand training, support employers and encourage more technicians to enter EV repair and maintenance roles.
“IMI forecasts predict continued growth in EV certification over the next decade, with the number of EV-qualified technicians projected to reach around 137,000 by 2032 and 193,000 by 2035.
“However, projected demand continues to rise at a faster rate. The gap between technician supply and demand increases sharply from the early 2030s, with shortages beginning in 2033 and growing year by year. By 2035, the projected shortfall rises to more than 43,000 technicians.”
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