Benefits of Electric Vehicle Qualifications

According to the IMI, the number of vehicle technicians who have received electric vehicle training has increased. So much so that the anticipated shortfall of EV qualified technicians needed to sustain the market as the 2030 deadline approaches has been pushed back from 2026 to 2028. While positive news, this demonstrates that there is still expected to be a deficit, and electric vehicle training should remain a priority.

Sales of electric vehicles increased by 76.3% in 2021. With an estimated 477,000 EVs on the road as of June 2022.

The number of electric vehicles on UK roads will continue unabated. And ensuring that vehicle technicians are able to repair EVs both skilfully and safely is vital.

There are many benefits of electric vehicle qualifications.  A key one is the opportunity to open up a new revenue stream for the garage/workshop you work in. Increasing numbers of customers with EVs are now seeking garages with qualified vehicle technicians. As a vehicle technician you are not only increasing your skill set if you have an EV qualification to your name but also your earning potential.

The majority of repair and servicing work carried out within UK garages today are on vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE). However, garages are increasingly seeing electric vehicles for remedial or essential maintenance work.

Most first time electric vehicle owners will have a very basic knowledge of EVs when they drive their new car off the forecourt. While the majority of these vehicles will still be under warranty, owners will inevitably turn to their local garage for both general advice and remedial work. This leads to one of the major benefits of electric vehicle training – keeping customers happy.

Simple repair work on an electric vehicle will take additional time. As a vehicle technician you will need to safely isolate the high voltage system from the rest of the vehicle and correctly re-instate it afterwards. The additional time required to carry this out is something that customers are largely unaware of, as there will of course be a cost implication. Having the right knowledge and explaining this process to a customer is imperative.

Another key benefit of electric vehicle training is safety. Not only will training ensure that you hold the relevant skill set, but it will also safeguard you against injury. We can’t lose sight of the fact that these are high-voltage vehicles. The industry has a duty of care to ensure vehicle technicians have the necessary skills to work safely on, or around them. Employers will find themselves liable if an untrained employee is injured while working around an electric vehicle.

Autotech Training is an approved Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) training provider. The IMI's electric vehicle qualifications are nationally recognised. They demonstrate that your knowledge, skills and competence are of the highest standard. There are four levels of IMI electric vehicle training.  Autotech Training teaches every level and each opens up new opportunities for you:

• Level 1 - Simple awareness training which provides a basic understanding of electric vehicles and the safety requirements when working within the vicinity of an EV.
• Level 2 - Designed for those who will encounter electric/hybrid vehicles within a routine maintenance situation. It also contains the knowledge and skills required to work safely around a vehicle that may have had damage to its high energy/electrical system.
• Level 3 - Equips you with the knowledge to work safely on and carry out repairs and maintenance activities on an EV.
• Level 4 - Teaches you how to carry out repairs on live, high voltage vehicles and focuses on in-depth diagnostic of the systems within an EV.

The level of electric vehicle training required is dependent on many variables such as the type of work carried out, and specific job roles.

The cost and duration of IMI electric/hybrid courses Levels 1-4 varies. The higher the level the greater the depth of learning so the cost and time will inevitably increase. For instance, a Level 1 course lasts for just half a day and prices start from £179+VAT. The Level 4 course takes two days and starts at £899 +VAT. Each level of EV training is completed before the next.  There are offers available to delegates booking all electric vehicle training courses with the same provider. For instance, Autotech Training offers a discounted bundle for delegates looking to book EV training Levels 2,3 and 4. The entire package comes to £1,299 making a saving of £299. Flexible payment options are also available.

Autotech Training is accredited by the IMI to deliver electric vehicle training from its dedicated training headquarters in Milton Keynes. This facility features an electric vehicle for hands on learning. Autotech Training’s team of skilled trainers can deliver Levels 1-4 on the premises of any garage or business. This keeps downtime and travel expenses to an absolute minimum. Weekends and Bank Holidays are also available for training. A trainer will always bring an electric vehicle with them and flexibility is key. Autotech Training will customise its offering to meet exact business needs. This also includes using a vehicle from a customer’s own fleet.

To book an electric vehicle training course with Autotech Training visit www.autotechtraining.co.uk or call 01234 603 000 to discuss exact needs.