ILC ARTICLE

IMI urges EV skills focus despite 2030 question mark

1st August 2023

There have been signs recently that the government is weakening its position on introducing a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that although he supports the move to net zero it has to be done in a practical way without UK households shouldering the cost burden.

In response, the Institute of the Motor Industry has urged the automotive industry not to use this as an excuse to let up on EV training, saying that even at the current rate there will be shortfall of 25,000 EV technicians by 2032.

Steve Nash, CEO, said, “The government has a difficult job to do to balance the UK’s ability to be ready for the 2030 deadline with the hard to ignore environmental threats. The lack of a strong strategy to date for UK-based control of the supply chain is certainly raising questions about the vulnerabilities this could create for our economy and infrastructure.

“However, if the government acknowledges its miscalculation and moves the deadline it is absolutely crucial that this is not seen as a ‘free pass’ to delay investment in infrastructure and training.

“Our latest data already shows that we are already behind the trajectory needed to have an automotive aftermarket workforce EV-ready.  The IMI predicts that by 2030 the UK will require 107,000 IMI TechSafe qualified technicians to meet the evolving demands of the growing parc of electric vehicles. This figure rises to 139,000 by 2032, with our projections indicating a potential shortfall of 25,000 technicians if the current trends persist. Any change in government strategy over the 2030 deadline must not therefore mean investment in training can be paused.”