Only one-in-four UK technicians qualified to work on EVs

Only one-in-four UK technicians are qualified to work on electric vehicles (EV), with training slowing and skills unevenly spread across regions, new Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) data shows.

The latest IMI TechSafe EV data shows just 26% of the UK technician workforce was EV qualified at the end of Q3 2025.

The IMI warned that skills are concentrated in the franchised dealer sector and unevenly distributed geographically, risking access to service, maintenance and repairs for EV drivers in some areas.

It's a warning the IMI has been highlighting for years, as EV volumes continue to increase and raises concerns for fleets that need to manage downtime in workshops for the EVs that are in for routine or ad-hoc maintenance.

However, findings from a survey conducted by Censuswide for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) last year shows the industry is investing heavily to acquire the skills and facilities to maintain and repair the latest vehicle technology.

The number of technicians gaining an EV qualification in Q3 fell by nearly 13% compared with Q1, prompting concerns that mixed Government messaging on electric motoring and wider economic pressures are slowing investment in 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 10 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."

Carrigy said EV owners and potential EV customers of the future need to be able to buy with confidence, knowing their vehicle can be "safely, affordably and conveniently serviced throughout their lifetime".

She said employers need urgent support from Government to ensure EV drivers don’t face "a postcode lottery for servicing and repairs".

IMI TechSafe data shows 2,613 technicians gained an EV qualification in Q3 2025, down 12.8% on Q1.

A total of 71,942 technicians are now EV qualified, with around 2,580 new certifications expected in Q4.

Based on current trends, the IMI projects the number of EV-qualified technicians will rise to around 137,000 by 2032 and 193,000 by 2035.

However, demand is expected to grow faster, with shortfalls emerging from 2033 and exceeding 44,000 technicians by 2035.

Carrigy added: “It is now too late for even sustained growth in certification to fully close the gap.

"With the end of sales of new petrol and diesel cars fast approaching, employers need to act now to ensure they’re ready for the growing EV car parc.

“If drivers face delays for repairs to their EVs they will make their frustration heard and it will put off other would-be EV-switchers with the environmental benefits of zero-emissions mobility unnecessarily delayed.

“The most acute pressure on technician capacity falls in the years leading up to 2030, when the ZEV mandate needs a rapid increase in electric vehicle sales.

"This creates a narrow window for employers to scale training and bring more technicians into EV repair roles.

"Delays during this period will be difficult to recover later, as the skills gap compounds alongside rising vehicle volumes."

The IMI is calling on the Government to recognise automotive servicing and repair skills as a core part of EV transition infrastructure, including embedding workforce capability into EV policy, supporting large-scale upskilling and ensuring clear and recognised safety and competence standards across the sector.