Logistics UK helps plug EV technician skills gap

Despite the number of technicians qualified to work on electric vehicles (EV) increasing to record numbers, technicians are not being trained quickly enough and the shortfall between workforce demand and supply of qualified EV technicians is predicted to reach 43,000 by 2035. The warning comes from business group Logistics UK as it launches its autumn programme of EV courses designed to address the EV skills gap and help future proof the sector.

“The sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles is set to end in less than 10 years for the lightest road freight vehicles, and under 15 for the heaviest,” comments Logistics UK’s Director of Operations Chris Lipscomb. “Logistics operators need to prioritise investment in EV technicians now, to ensure electric and hybrid vehicles can be integrated into fleets as smoothly as possible.

“Businesses also have a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act to provide awareness and practical training for staff who operate or come into contact with EVs. With increasing numbers of electric vehicles being used across all vehicle types, from company cars and grey fleet to vans and HGVs, there will be more staff now that need training so they can continue to work safely while ensuring business operations are not disrupted.”

Data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) shows almost 75,000 technicians now hold an EV qualification but this is still only one in three of the UK’s technician workforce. The IMI also predicts demand for EV technicians will increase sharply from the early 2030s, leading to a shortfall of more than 43,000 technicians by 2035¹.

Logistics UK provides EV courses ranging from a half day online electric vehicle safety awareness course to an IMI Level 2/3 award preparing electric vehicles for repair.

The IMI Level 2/3 Award in Preparing Heavy Electric/Hybrid Vehicles for Repair, delivered in partnership with Loughborough College Group, is a two-day course designed to give technicians the knowledge and skills to work safely on electric and hybrid heavy goods vehicles while carrying out repairs and testing.

The Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Safety Awareness online training is designed as an entry level course to help participants work safely within the logistics industry as the number of electric and hybrid vehicles entering the workplace increases.

“A shortage of EV technicians could act as a barrier for operators considering upgrading their fleets and delay the switch to cleaner vehicles,” continues Lipscomb. “It is essential that skills develop to keep pace with adoption of new technology, and the Stephenson Campus in Coalville provides the ideal modern environment and technical equipment to help develop the workforce of tomorrow.”

For information on course content or to book your place online, visit the Logistics UK Training website training.logistics.org.uk.

Logistic UK Electric Vehicle Course Dates 2026

Preparing Heavy Electric/Hybrid Vehicles for Repair (In person):

16-17 September

26–27 October

23–24 November

7–8 December

Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Safety Awareness (Online):

21 August

18 September

23 October

20 November

18 December

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk

¹ IMI TechSafe data, Q4 2025