Are electric vehicles headed to the scrapheap due to shortage of qualified EV mechanics?
In a recent article by Insurance News According to a spokesperson, there are a limited number of electric vehicle service centres and specialized tradespeople available to repair any damage.
As a result, damaged electric vehicles may need to be transported to distant locations for repair, contributing to increased repair costs. The limited availability of repair services for electric vehicles ultimately leads to higher insurance premiums, as explained by the spokesperson.
The scarcity of certified technicians is contributing to the situation where electric vehicles are being declared a total loss even with minor damage. This problem is causing electric vehicles to be written off rather than repaired due to the limited availability of qualified repair professionals.
The Insurance Council of Australia is advocating for legislative reform to allow more vehicles, including electric cars, to be safely repaired rather than ditched. According to the council, its members are pushing for the upskilling of mechanics and seeking government subsidies for training electric vehicle technicians.
Matt Hobbs, the CEO of the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), has expressed concern over the industry’s slow adoption of necessary skills.
In an interview with The Guardian, he emphasized the need to upskill the industry and pointed out that it’s not always evident what damage exists underneath a car, especially with the presence of 400-volt batteries in electric vehicles. He explained the safety procedures required when working with electric vehicles, such as depowering and re-energizing the battery to ensure safe maintenance.
Locating charging stations for EV’s, long charging times, higher initial costs, limited driving range, and battery packs can be expensive to replace.
If purchasing an electric vehicle is financially feasible for you and its range can accommodate your typical driving needs, securing one makes sense for multiple reasons. An EV not only has lower operating costs, but is also eco-friendly, typically provides peppy performance, and helps future-proof your conveyance for years ahead.
