Aftermarket March 2023

MARCH 2023 AFTERMARKET 59 www.aftermarketonline.net trained technicians by 2030. Root causes behind the skills shortage are cited in the report as being the result of recruitment challenges, barriers to reskilling and capital investment constraints. The increasing computerisation of cars by VMs and efforts to monopolise the aftermarket’ are also cited as ‘key concerns’, with the report recommending a renewed Block Exemption and specific incentives to enable the independent sector to continue to compete on fair terms. More positively however, the EV transition is seen as a “unique opportunity” to create high skilled “green jobs.” Overall, the report found that the total number of UK technicians has declined by 30% from nearly 203,000 to 141,700 between 2006 and 2021. IGA Chief Executive Stuart James observed: “The report clearly identifies the central importance of independent garages in ensuring consumers can access good quality cost-effective HEV services as volume grows. The authors have also explicitly recognised the need for policymakers to support UK independent garages. We hope this report can inform policymakers. Government needs to help the sector address the shortfall of skilled technicians as well as investing in the infrastructure to cope with the upcoming EV revolution.” To view the full report, visit: www.smf.co.uk/wp- content/uploads/2022/12/A-vehicle- for-change-December-2022.pdf London ULEZ expansion to boost EV take-up? Electric vehicles may be set to get a boost in the capital from late summer 2023, as they become among the small group of vehicles not required to pay £12.50 a day to travel within London’s soon-to-be-expanding Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ). It is now confirmed that London’s ULEZ will expand to cover all London from 29 August 2023, and motorists will be required to pay the charge to drive inside the boundary, unless their vehicle is exempt. Apart from battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) these are set to include Euro 4-compliant petrol cars, generally produced after January 2006, as well as Euro 6 diesels from after September 2015. Commenting on the move, Andy Marchant, Traffic Expert at TomTom, said: “The London Mayor’s plans for keeping London at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution is a sure step towards his ambition for the UK’s capital to be a net zero-carbon city by 2030. The wider adoption of EVs is central to reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation industry, yet it is still a decision tinged with anxiety - most often linked to a lack of charging infrastructure.” More infrastructure is key though he believes: “If London is truly to become an EV hub, it needs to think about how to build an on-street charging network that really matches the capital's urban layout. As fewer people have access to a driveway or garage than in smaller cities, an infrastructure of on-street charging capabilities is needed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing EV fleet.” In terms of the impact on Londoners, according to NFDA Chief Executive Sue Robinson, while air quality will improve, there will be a price to pay: “Whilst NFDA understands the importance of tackling air pollution in the capital and to combat climate issues, we still believe that this ULEZ expansion proposal is flawed. The expansion will undoubtedly have a disproportionate and adverse effect on London’s most deprived communities and motorists. This £12.50 daily charge will hit businesses, key workers and less affluent families the hardest and the additional cost to some of London’s poorest communities will push some families over the brink and force a reduction in their access to private mobility.” She added: “This move is during one of Britain’s worst cost of living crises, rising inflation and steep energy prices. We do not believe that this has been fully considered by Transport for London and looks more and more to be a money generating scheme for TfL.” EV skills increase slowing? The number of technicians getting IMI TechSafe accreditation is rising, but the rate of increase is waning the organisation has warned, at the same time that demand for EVs may be slowing. Over 11,500 technicians achieved the qualification in the first nine months of 2022, meaning roughly 16% of technicians now hold it, up from 11% at the end of 2021. However, according to IMI CEO Steve Nash, this rate of increase is likely to slow as a result of falling training budgets: “As of Q3 2022, there were 36,000 EV qualified technicians eligible for IMI TechSafe accreditation. However, we are now in a dangerous place in terms of continued commitment to skills matched to EV adoption. “The latest Auto Trader Insights data outlines a decline in demand for electric vehicles, probably caused by the cost-of-living crisis and doubts about the government’s electrification ambitions. This has led to a dampening of forecasts, with EVs predicted to reach 50% of all new car sales by 2027 rather than 2026 as previously expected. But the last thing we need now is for the sector to believe it has more time to get the workforce properly skilled.” The number of IMI TechSafe qualified technicians required to work with electric vehicles by 2030 is 77,000 according to the IMI, with that number needing to hit 89,000 by 2032. “Aligned to Auto Trader Insight predictions,” said Steve, “this suggests the skills gap - when there won’t be enough technicians to service the electrified vehicle parc – will appear in 2029.” Steve added: “It is crucial the sector continues to train and skill its workforce at significant rates, but with current economic pressures there is concern that training budgets will be the first to be cut. Government support for training which, in turn, will help it achieve its decarbonisation goals, is vital.” Government needs to help the sector address the shortfall of skilled technicians as well as investing in the infrastructure ”