Analysis by the UK’s Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals only three per cent of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) technicians are trained to work on high voltage systems.
“We have long championed for the government and the automotive industry to collaborate to overcome the financial, administrative and skills difficulties that EV technology is bringing to the vehicle repair industry, and there are certainly signs that employers are stepping up the pace to support the UK’s rapid EV transition,” said Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI.
“However, our latest analysis reveals that the shortfall in qualified EV technicians in the HGV sector is of even greater concern than that faced by the passenger vehicle and light commercial vehicle markets. With the need to meet the government’s HGV decarbonisation pledge, and a big ramp-up in EV adoption already occurring in the public transport space, there is a huge risk that there simply won’t be the skilled workforce to work on high voltage vehicle systems. This could severely undermine the logistics and public transport sectors and the last thing the UK needs is another crisis in goods supplies.”
The UK government announced a commitment to making it the first country in the world to phase out new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035, and all new HGVs sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2040. However, the IMI said it has “grave concerns” over the UK’s ability to adequately support a decarbonised HGV fleet by 2035 unless current investment in recruitment and training is significantly raised.
“The electrification of the public transport network is a key component in the UK’s mission to reduce emissions in towns and cities,” Nash said. “But this ambition could be severely undermined unless focus is put on EV training for those who will need to work on these vehicles and other HGVs. We are already lobbying government for more funding to support the necessary training and we are also working with government agencies to suggest ways in which they could help to alleviate the severe recruitment issues.”
According to figures from Logistics UK, around 30,000 mechanics, technicians and fitters work on HGVs, trailers and public service vehicles. There are more than 4000 vacant positions, which is 35 per cent higher than before the pandemic.