Britain is heading towards a significant shortage of mechanics trained to service electric vehicles, raising concerns that the country’s transition to cleaner transport could outstrip the number of workers needed to support it.
New analysis from the Institute of the Motor Industry suggests the UK could be short of 44,000 skilled electrical engineers by the time production of petrol and diesel cars is phased out under current government targets.
While ministers have reiterated plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, only around a quarter of mechanics in the UK are currently trained to work on electric cars. The gap between political ambitions and the willingness of the workforce is widening, especially among smaller independent workshops.
A key concern is the unequal distribution of electric vehicle expertise. A disproportionate number of qualified technicians are employed by larger national chains like Kwik-Fit, which have the scale and resources to invest in training and benefit from service contracts with corporate electric vehicle fleets.
In contrast, many smaller, independent workshops, which make up a large part of the UK car repair network, remain reluctant to invest in electric vehicle training. Owners cite a lack of local demand, high training costs and uncertainty about the pace of the transition.
In areas where acceptance of electric vehicles remains low, particularly outside large urban centers, the economic arguments for upskilling staff are not yet convincing, according to workshop operators.
For many workshop owners, the decision comes down to economic aspects. Traditional repair work – such as servicing engines, clutches and fuel systems – remains a primary source of revenue, but these components are largely missing from electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles typically require less maintenance and fewer moving parts, reducing both the frequency and value of repair work. Even routine checks such as MoTs tend to require less work, further reducing the potential income of independent repairers.
This structural change is causing uncertainty across the industry, with some operators fearing that investments in electric vehicle capability may not deliver sufficient returns in the short term.
The transition will also be shaped by regional differences in the distribution of electric vehicles. In some parts of the UK, particularly rural areas, demand remains limited, reinforcing the reluctance of smaller businesses to invest.
Consumers are already feeling the consequences. In some cases, electric vehicle owners have been forced to travel long distances to seek qualified repair services because local workshops did not have the necessary expertise or equipment.
This highlights a growing disconnect between national policy and local infrastructure, both in terms of charging networks and service capacity.
The general uncertainty about global electric car policy increases hesitation. Changes in international markets, including changes in electric vehicle targets in the United States and Europe, have caused some entrepreneurs to shy away from making long-term investments.
At the same time, the UK government has introduced measures such as expanded charging infrastructure and new road charges for electric vehicles, but these have not yet fully translated into stronger consumer demand.
Despite these challenges, industry analysts believe the transition to electric vehicles is ultimately inevitable.
Even as policy timelines shift, manufacturers have already invested heavily in electrification and electric vehicles are expected to dominate new car sales within the next decade. Quentin Le Hetet from automotive analyst GiPA believes electric vehicles could outnumber petrol and diesel cars on British roads by the mid-2030s.
However, the pace of this transition will depend heavily on whether supporting industries, including repair and maintenance, can keep up.
Experts warn that without targeted support, independent repair shops could fall behind and larger operators and manufacturer-approved service centers could capture a growing market share.
Peter Wells from the Center for Automotive Industry Research said the shift could transform the sector as manufacturers increasingly control access to repair data and systems.
This trend raises concerns about competition, pricing and the long-term viability of smaller businesses, which have traditionally formed the backbone of the UK’s automotive repair industry.
The Institute of the Motor Industry has called for increased funding to support training and workforce development, warning that without intervention the skills shortage could become a major obstacle to the UK’s net zero targets.
For policymakers, the challenge is clear: ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles is not only technologically feasible, but also economically and operationally sustainable.
For the thousands of workshops across the country, the message is just as clear; Adapt to the electric future or risk being left behind as the automotive industry undergoes its most profound transformation in decades.
