A growing lack of electric vehicle technicians could jeopardise EV take-up by fleets and hamper the UK’s net zero mission, Logistics UK has warned.

New data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals that just one in four UK technicians are currently qualified to work on electric vehicles – and business group Logistics UK has warned of the ramifications for fleet electrification.

Although the number of EV-qualified technicians is expected to rise over the next decade, the gap between supply and demand for EV technicians is currently set to widen sharply in the early 2030s. Shortfalls are expected to reach more than 44,000 technicians by 2035, according to the IMI.

Logistics UK said such a skills gap will inhibit the uptake of cleaner electric vehicles as operators will not have the confidence their fleets will be maintained.

Arthur Gribbin, engineering policy lead, commented: “Every minute a vehicle is off the road costs operators money, and commercial viability is the overriding factor that influences an organisations’ decision to invest in electric vehicles.

“Anything that introduces doubt that operational requirements and customers’ needs will not be met using an electric fleet means operators will take the only financially viable decision: wait until these doubts are removed.

“If the Government is serious about meeting its decarbonisation objectives, it needs to create an environment that makes switching to electric vehicles an easy win. This means investing in charging infrastructure so logistics operators have access to the power they need both now and, in the future, but also investing in the skills that allows operators to keep their vehicles on the road.”