The latest IMI TechSafe data on electric vehicle qualifications found that just one in four technicians were qualified to work on EVs.
It said the distribution of skills UK wide was uneven and concentrated in the franchised dealer market, adding the growing numbers of EV drivers are “likely to find it harder to get their vehicles serviced and repaired” by qualified experts, in some areas.
It also found that the number of technicians gaining an EV qualification in Quarter 3 fell 13% compared to Quarter.
The IMI said it was concerned that the mixed messages on electric motoring from government as well as economic pressures have put the brakes on training.
Emma Carrigy, head of research, policy and inclusion at the IMI, said: “The latest IMI TechSafe EV forecast suggests that the pace of training is misaligned with current and future demand, and is likely to fall short of what is needed to support the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) targets.
“With our analysis expecting even lower EV certifications for Q4, unless there is a significant acceleration in training, the gap between the number of EV-trained technicians and those required will widen dangerously in the next five to ten years.
“And with training levels varying significantly between employers and regions, with independent workshops often less able to invest ahead of demand, there is a strong risk of a postcode lottery as the second-hand EV market grows.
