The number of technicians bring trained to work on electric vehicles is not rising fast enough to keep up with the growing used EV parc.
Figures released by the IMI show that 2,792 technicians gained an EV qualification in Q4 2025, which is 6% higher than Q3 2025 but 17% lower than the same period in 2024.
The IMI is continuing to call on the government to mandate its TechSafe standard, which it believes is the mechanism to ensure technicians are trained to deal with increasingly complex vehicles.
Emma Carrigy, head of research and public affairs at the IMI, said: “EV technician numbers are still rising, but at a comparatively slower rate year-on-year, and not quickly enough to meet projected demand.
“Without a faster increase in training uptake, there is a very serious risk that technician availability will become a barrier to EV adoption, slowing the UK’s transition zero emissions.
“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.
“Unless this qualification trajectory changes dramatically, there will be a dangerous skills shortfall in just five years – just in time for the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles to be phased out,” said Carrigy.
“This data underlines the urgency for a solution to ensure both the automotive workforce and UK road users remain safe.”
