The Institute of the Motor Industry has warned the sector that any potential delay in the 2030 deadline for the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles must not be a free pass to delay EV training.
Steve Nash, CEO, urged the automotive sector to keep its eye on the ball for EV training, regardless of a potential move of the 2030 ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles.
He said: “The government has a difficult job to do to balance the UK’s ability to be ready for the 2030 deadline with the hard to ignore environmental threats. The lack of a strong strategy to date for UK-based control of the supply chain is certainly raising questions about the vulnerabilities this could create for our economy and infrastructure.
“However, if the government acknowledges its miscalculation and moves the deadline it is absolutely crucial that this is NOT seen as a ‘free pass’ to delay investment in infrastructure and training.
“Our latest data already shows that we are already behind the trajectory needed to have an automotive aftermarket workforce EV-ready. The number of newly qualified EV technicians in the first three months of this year is actually 10% lower than the same period in 2022. Even more concerning is our projection that for the second quarter there will be a decline of 31% in technicians obtaining EV qualifications compared to Quarter 2 2022.
“The IMI predicts that by 2030 the UK will require 107,000 IMI TechSafe qualified technicians to meet the evolving demands of the growing parc of electric vehicles. This figure rises to 139,000 by 2032, with our projections indicating a potential shortfall of 25,000 technicians if the current trends persist.
“Any change in government strategy over the 2030 deadline must not therefore mean investment in training can be paused.”
