Australia urgently needs to train more mechanics to deal with the growing number of electric vehicles on the road, as it is estimated that more than 100,000 technicians will need further training by 2030.
Lift the bonnet of an electric vehicle and you might notice that there is no transmission, fuel pump, head gasket, or spark plugs, which makes servicing these vehicles quite different from petrol-powered cars.
According to Motor Trades Association NSW, the country is lagging behind the rest of the world in retraining its automotive workforce, and little attention has been paid to address the issue.
Automotive groups are calling for state and federal governments to take urgent action to boost electric vehicle training and avoid a “bungled EV rollout.”
While fuel-emission standards and charging infrastructure dominated the debate about getting more electric cars on Australian roads, the question of maintaining them was ignored. Specialist training in electric car and battery maintenance for mechanics is critical to avoid workplace safety dangers and driver risks.
NSW has more than 49,000 licensed automotive technicians, with more than 100,000 across the country. The Motor Trades Association NSW has invested $1 million in procuring specialized electric vehicle equipment from Germany to create short educational courses in safety and maintenance.
However, training the entire NSW workforce would cost more than $100 million, and governments need to work with the industry to share the cost and develop standards.
More than 83,000 electric cars are being driven on Australian roads, and more than 100,000 are predicted to hit streets in the coming months.
Despite the modest numbers, the shortage in mechanics trained to service electric cars is already becoming apparent. Automotive apprenticeships are also complicated by their practical component, as each apprentice needs to be paired with a mechanic trained in servicing electric vehicles, which isn’t yet a common qualification.
Workers in related fields will also need further training. Dealing with an electric car damaged in an accident could present risks to untrained staff. Each technician, from service centre workers to tow truck drivers, panel beaters, and spray painters, will need to be upskilled in how to de-power an electric vehicle. Electric vehicle batteries store up to about 800 volts, and if they’re damaged and not handled properly, they can be dangerous.
Australia may have as little as seven years to ramp up training for thousands of new and experienced auto workers. The ACT has adopted a sales target of 80% electric vehicle sales by 2030, while Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and NSW aim to achieve a 50% share of the market by then. If governments don’t collaborate with industry quickly, Australia’s transport transition could face another speed bump.
»Australia needs thousands of electric vehicle mechanics«
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