ATS Euromaster is rolling out further EV training for its network of tyre and maintenance centres ahead of a commitment for all technicians and centres to be fully trained by Q2 2023.

ATS Euromaster says its complete network will have full EV/hybrid capability by Q2 2023

All technicians have already received Institute of Motor Industry (IMI) accredited basic training to handle EVs during Q1 2022, in response to growing customer demand.

And following further extensive investment in staff training, phase 2 of the ATS commitment to handling EVs means the first 140 ATS centres will be ready to offer light vehicle servicing capability on hybrids from the beginning of Q3 2022. This will then extend to fully electric vehicles in Q4 2022.

ATS Euromaster says it will have increased the number of its centres to full EV/hybrid capability to 200 by the end of 2022, and by Q2 2023 the complete network will have achieved that level of expertise.

Earlier this year, the IMI warned of a growing skills gap in EV-ready technicians as electric vehicle take-up soars in the run-up to the 2030 ICE phase-out.

Mark Holland, operations director at ATS Euromaster, said: “We are committed to constantly improving the level of training we give to our technicians to ensure their skills meet the demands of our customers.

“With the number of fleets running electric vehicles rapidly rising, it’s important that we have the capability to handle these cars correctly without endangering our technicians who will be handling these vehicles with high voltage batteries. Having completed phase 1 training in basic EV/hybrid handling, we are really excited to roll out phase 2 capability for EVs and hybrids.”

ATS technicians can now work safely on EV/hybrid brake systems, lower steering and suspension joints and provide hybrid servicing

“Our technicians have passed additional IMI-approved EV/Hybrid training courses to ensure we are EV fleet ready,” added Holland. “Fleet managers can now be assured that their vehicles will have been inspected thoroughly when they come to one of our accredited centres and any identified defects rectified by properly qualified technicians.”