Only 1 in 4 technicians qualified to work on EVs

The latest IMI Tech safe data on electric vehicle (EV) trained technicians and qualifications shows that just one in four technicians were qualified to work on EVs at the end of the third quarter of 2025. What’s more, it highlights that the distribution of skills across the UK geographically is uneven. Therefore, the growing population of EV drivers are likely to find it harder to get their vehicles serviced and repaired by qualified experts, especially in certain areas of the UK. 

As the number of technicians gaining an EV qualification in Q3 2025 dropped nearly 13% compared to Q1, the IMI is concerned that the mixed messages on electric motoring from government, as well as economic pressures, have put the brakes on training.

EV market picture

In the last three months of 2025, registrations of electrified vehicles, including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and full hybrids, outpaced those of traditional petrol and diesel engines for the first time. In addition, the UK government is pushing forward with plans to ban sales of new petrol and diesel models from 2030, despite a relaxing of similar plans in the EU.

At the end of 2024, there were just over 3.5 million electrified vehicles on UK roads, according to the SMMT. Adding registrations of these vehicles in 2025 and the total reaches almost 4.5 million.

The EV market is growing steadily. As regulations push more drivers into the technology, figures will rise dramatically, meaning we need more EV trained technicians.

A skills gap being created

The IMI TechSafe EV Technician Forecast shows that 2,613 technicians gained an EV qualification in Q3 2025. This was 12.8% lower than Q1 2025. This means that EV trained technicians make up 26% of the UK technician workforce, a total of 71,942 employees. Therefore, there are 63 electrified vehicles for every EV trained technician qualified to work on them.

It is expected that there will be 2,580 new certifications expected for Q4 2024. However, projected demand could exceed supply by more than 44,000 technicians by 2035. The IMI is repeating its call for government to help address the skills gap.

At Star Tech EV, our technicians have been working on EVs and hybrids for over 5 years and are IMI TechSafe certified so you can rest assured that they are qualified to work on your EV. If you would like us to service or repair your EV, just give us a call on 01202 148303 or email us at service@star-tech-ev.co.uk

Source: Auto Repair Focus