Only 1 in 4 UK technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles

IMI calls for action to recognise automotive servicing and repair skills as part of the EV transition infrastructure

The slow pace of vehicle technician training sees EV skills spread evenly across the UK, says the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

The latest IMI TechSafe data on electric vehicle qualifications presents a worrying picture of slowing investment in training for zero-emissions. Just one in four technicians were qualified to work on EVs at the end of Quarter 3 2025. 

With the distribution of skills across the UK geographically uneven and concentrated in the franchise dealer market, the growing population of EV drivers are likely to find it harder to get their vehicles serviced and repaired by qualified experts, especially in certain areas of the UK.

As the number of technicians gaining an EV qualification in Quarter 3 dropped nearly 13% compared to Quarter 1, the IMI is concerned that the mixed messages on electric motoring from government as well as economic pressures have put the brakes on 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 ten 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.

“It is vital that EV owners and those who aspire to become one, have confidence that their vehicle can be safely, affordably and conveniently serviced throughout their lifetime. A visible, qualified and geographically distributed service and repair workforce is therefore a critical enabler of sustained EV adoption. Employers need urgent support from government to ensure EV drivers don’t face a postcode lottery for servicing and repairs.”

IMI TechSafe EV Technician Forecast: Q3 2025 at a glance

• 2,613 technicians gained an EV qualification in Q3 2025 - 12.8% lower than Q1 2025
• 26% of the UK technician workforce is EV qualified - 71,942 technicians
• Around 2,580 new certifications are expected for Q4 2025
• Projected demand could exceed supply by more than 44,000 technicians by 2035

Based on current trends, IMI projections show the number of EV-qualified technicians rising over the next decade to reach around 137,000 by 2032 and 193,000 by 2035. However, demand is expected to grow faster than new certifications, with the gap between supply and demand currently set to widen sharply in the early 2030s. Shortfalls are due to emerge from 2033 onwards and increasing year-on-year, reaching more than 44,000 technicians by 2035.

“It is now too late for even sustained growth in certification to fully close the gap,” continued Emma Carrigy. “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.”

As the voice of the automotive workforce, the IMI is repeating its call for government to address the skills needs. The IMI believes, despite contributing significantly to employment, net zero ambitions and clean growth, the automotive aftermarket is being overlooked across several government policies.  

The IMI is calling for further action to explicitly recognise automotive servicing and repair skills as part of the EV transition infrastructure. This includes embedding workforce capability into EV policy design, supporting large-scale upskilling of the existing workforce, and ensuring clear, recognised competence and safety standards for work on safety-critical, high-risk and security-sensitive vehicle systems across the sector.