The great switch on

With the surge in electric vehicles that feature more efficient powertrains and a host of new innovations, automotive is gearing up for a more sustainable future. But while this technology may require new knowledge and working practices, it doesn’t mean you can forget the skills you have already learned. These skills will remain highly valuable as they are augmented with new approaches to vehicle maintenance and repair. 

But in a world where politics can confuse matters, such as the deadline change from 2030 to 2035 for the banning of new petrol and diesel vehicles, it can be difficult to know what skills you need and when you should be upskilling. The key thing to remember is working on electric vehicles (EVs) doesn’t need to be a huge cultural shift. Think if it as a continuation of what workshops already do. 

“It’s important that garages remember that when working on an EV, they’re still dealing with a car,” explains Matt Cleevely of Cleevely Electric Vehicles. “So lots of work will involve tyres, steering, suspension, brakes and mechanical systems. The cars are clean and generally good to work on.”

Safety first

Rather than requiring a complete change of skillset, the skills most technicians have will be easily transferable. However, there are areas that will need a little more attention. 

“A systematic approach to diagnostics is even more important with EVs,” says Cleevely. “Since parts can be expensive and may require longer lead times to order, there’s an added incentive to identify the right fix first time. Awareness of high-voltage and safe working is obviously essential, even though lots of service work can be done perfectly safely. Unfortunately, mainstream technical data providers often can’t help with essential data such as interlock circuits, and failures there will stop an EV completely. Use expert support where it’s available – HEVRA can provide this for independent repairers.”

One obvious area of working on EVs that’s different to traditional vehicles is the electricity running through them (those large orange wires are a dead giveaway), so understanding high-voltage systems is essential.

“Ensuring all staff have a basic awareness of high-voltage vehicles and can identify them as a potential hazard is vital for the safety of all concerned,” says Tony Smith, Group ARC Manager at Foray Motor Group. “This should be the first step in dealing with anything new, even before the cars arrive on site. “The existing skillsets within the industry are all transferable when repairing this type of vehicle. We are lucky to have such a talented and capable bunch of people working within the Foray group, but we still need to continue to enhance the knowledge of our technicians and the equipment available to them to remain successful in the future.”

Old dogs, new tricks

Electric vehicles are no longer a niche or a fleeting trend. They are very quickly becoming the immediate go-to choice for consumers and corporations alike, driven by a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

This shift, however, presents a unique challenge for professionals in the automotive industry, particularly those accustomed to traditional mechanical expertise. While the latest generation of technicians, who have grown up immersed in technology, seemingly adapt more easily to EVs, it’s a different story for the more seasoned workforce.

“We are essentially taking technicians who have historically been good with mechanical skills and attempting to convert them into skilled electricians with computer skills to match,” explains Ian Sykes, Bodyshop Manager at Master Cars in Wakefield. “This would be a normal transition as the newer technicians entering the job market would know nothing else, but they just aren’t coming into the motor trade. This leaves us with the dilemma of an ageing workforce who have little or no desire to upskill.”

Size does matter

The expectation from insurers that an independent body shop which caters for a diverse array of makes and models can seamlessly service all of them is also a significant challenge. These shops may only encounter a particular brand a few times a month—a stark contrast to dealership technicians who are immersed in a specific brand day in, day out. Maintaining an expert level of electronic skills in a body shop under these circumstances is an uphill battle. 

“Those who have the capacity to upskill are rightly demanding a king’s ransom, which a dealer on £140 per hour can sustain but a body shop on £35 cannot,” says Sykes. “We are left with a conundrum: bale out the ship or plug the hole. One is a short-term fix while the other takes time, which we don’t have the luxury of. Recent announcements pushing the phasing out of new petrol and diesel cars back to 2035 will buy us some time but insurers are effectively asking for dealer-level technicians at body repair rates.”

Back at Foray Motor Group, Smith says: “We will need the ability to negotiate appropriate rates with insurers to maintain the affordability of these resources and make the whole thing sustainable. Regardless of any delay in government targets for EVs, these vehicles are here to stay and we need to persevere with investment to accommodate them as the numbers increase.”

Sparking a revolution

While the challenges are real, one thing is clear: change is inevitable. EVs are rapidly becoming the new norm, accompanied by cutting-edge technologies that are redefining the industry. It’s a landscape where adaptability and continuous learning are not merely advantageous but essential for survival. 

Experienced technicians with strong mechanical backgrounds are being urged to evolve into skilled electricians, necessitating a shift in skillset. The industry’s future belongs to those who embrace change, invest in up-skilling and collaborate to negotiate fair rates with insurers.

The inevitability of EVs reinforces the importance of ongoing investment in knowledge and equipment to meet the growing demand for these vehicles. But if you already have the skills to work on combustion vehicles, the leap to EVs isn’t as big as you may think.

This is an edited extract from IMI's new MotorPro magazine, received free as part of IMI membership