EV Technician Shortage Threatens UK’s Automotive Future: Can Vehicle Training Keep Up?

21.07.2025

4 mins to read

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a common sight on European roads. The United Kingdom, despite no longer being a part of the EU, is no exception. However, a new challenge has emerged: will the UK have enough trained professionals to fix them?

The UK government does not stay idle. They have committed heavily to EV adoption through incentives and infrastructure. With the allocation of over £1.6 billion to develop EV charging points, the only issue left is the people behind the tools. As a result, the EV sales surge, but many garages and automotive technicians across the country find it difficult to catch up with a fast-changing automotive landscape.

So, is the UK truly ready for the EV revolution? We will attempt to find the answer to that question in today’s article.

The growing need for specialised EV technicians

Unlike traditional petrol or diesel cars, EVs rely on completely different elements to operate. These are, i.e:

complex electronic systems,
battery management,
high-voltage components.

The safe repair of all the above requires specialist knowledge. As for the mechanics, these skills are not simply upgrades. The skills needed to work on EVs are an entirely different toolkit.

According to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), only about 24% of UK vehicle technicians are currently qualified to work on electric vehicles. That leaves three-quarters of the automotive workforce potentially unequipped to deal with issues, such as routine servicing or high-voltage faults.

Furthermore, this gap is expected to grow as EV uptake increases. IMI suggests that by 2035, the UK could face a shortage of over 16,000 EV qualified technicians. This poses a threat not only to public confidence in EV reliability but also to safety.

Certification: who can repair an EV?

To legally and safely service EVs in the UK, mechanics must complete a specialised EV training program. The most widely recognised qualification is the TechSafe certification, overseen by the IMI and supported by the UK government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV). This framework ensures technicians are trained in battery systems, thermal management, and safety procedures for high-voltage repairs. While over 58,800 technicians have received TechSafe certification, the coverage is still inconsistent. In some areas (eg, London, Kent, and South Wales), certified EV technicians constitute less than 6% of the local workforce.

Electric vehicle readiness – shortage of skilled EV technicians

Below you can find a table that summarises where the UK stands in terms of EV readiness:

Category	Figure
EVs currently on UK roads	1,190,000+
Certified EV technicians	~58,800 (24% of workforce)
Skilled technicians shortfall by 2035	Over 16,000
Government-approved specialized training centres	235+

Vehicle training and infrastructure: EV technician shortage

Support for electric vehicle infrastructure in the UK has grown significantly in recent years. Its LEVI Fund (Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) is supporting councils in expanding the national charging infrastructure. Furthermore, organisations like the Energy Saving Trust are training local authorities on deployment best practices. However, technician training has lagged behind. Many small and independent garages do not have the resources to upskill their staff or invest in the necessary equipment. Even where funding is available, awareness and accessibility remain obstacles.

Closing the gap on electric vehicle technicians

Bridging the EV skills gap is not just a technical challenge. It is a cultural and educational one too. Young people entering the workforce often do not find automotive careers, particularly in EV servicing, as attractive or future-proof. Meanwhile, existing technicians may be reluctant to retrain in what feels like an entirely new automotive industry.

To change this, the IMI and other groups have proposed a comprehensive approach that includes:

expanding apprenticeships and increasing funding for retraining;
introducing a mandatory EV certification for garages servicing electric vehicles;
promoting automotive careers among students and early-career workers.

Tools are ready, but are the people? EV technicians are missing.

The UK has laid the groundwork for a successful EV transition. The infrastructure is growing, EV technologies are evolving, the certification standards exist, and the political will appears to be there. However, without a rapid effort to train and retain EV technicians, the country risks failing miserably at the transition to electrification. Building chargers is one thing. But building confidence through a skilled workforce is yet another.