Running on Empty: The Growing Shortage of EV Service Technicians
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Episode Description:
- We’ve talked about the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption—price, charging stations, and driving range.
- But what about EV repairs and servicing? This is a major issue that often flies under the radar.
- As more car dealerships sell EVs, the demand for qualified EV service technicians is growing fast.
- While EVs have fewer moving parts and require less frequent repairs than gas-powered cars, they still need regular service—especially for brakes, tires, and battery maintenance.
- Traditional dealerships are struggling to adapt to the EV servicing model.
- Most mechanics have spent decades working on internal combustion engines, not electric drivetrains.
- Training for EV service is intense and can take weeks or months, which means techs are pulled from the shop and dealerships lose revenue in the short term.
- The cost of upgrading equipment is another barrier—some automakers require dealers to invest $200,000 or more for tools and diagnostic gear.
- Some dealerships are opting to take buyouts rather than invest in EV servicing capabilities.
- Example: General Motors requires every EV-selling dealership to have at least two fully EV-certified technicians, completing 60 specialized courses.
- Only 10% of technicians nationwide have completed the necessary EV training.
- This technician shortage could create massive bottlenecks in the future of electric mobility.
- Listeners are encouraged to reflect:
- Do you own an EV?
- Have you needed to get it serviced?
- Did your dealership have the parts and trained staff?
- Was it a smooth experience?
👉 Share your stories and insights—Is the industry ready for this EV transition?
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