The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has warned of a skills shortfall among mechanics trained to service and repair electric vehicles (EVs), a shortfall that risks driving up servicing costs.

The number of EVs on UK’s roads is rapidly increasing, and recently reached one million. However, the number of skilled technicians that can service such cars is not keeping pace. According to the SMF, by 2030 the country could face a shortfall of 25,000 qualified technicians.

The SMF is calling for Government to do more to support efforts to recruit and train more workers with the skills needed to maintain EVs.

‘Formalised, professional and accredited training routes to prepare technicians for EV repair and maintenance are needed,’ the report said.

The SMF called for reforms to allow more of the money paid by larger employers for the Apprenticeship Levy to be used to fund that training.

Amy Norman, senior researcher at SMF, said: ‘Electric vehicles are the future of cheaper, greener motoring, but servicing and maintaining them requires a new skills and training. Britain is in real danger of running short of the skilled mechanics and technicians needed to keep EVs on the roads.

‘More needs to be done to ensure more workers are getting the skills and training needed to keep Britain on the road to Net Zero. That means better policies to support skills and training, including more creative use of Apprenticeship Levy funds.

‘It also means doing more to attract recruits into this vital trade. The men and women who train to keep millions of EVs running smoothly should be seen as green heroes helping Britain speed towards a cleaner future.

‘The transition to EVs is a great example of the opportunities that come from the shift to a low-carbon economy – with the right policies in place, the transition in driving can unlock thousands of high-skill blue-collar jobs for current and future generations.’