Industry experts say Australia is facing a severe shortage of EV mechanics. 

With the looming implementation of the government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, an industry study by Deloitte and the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) reveals that only 41 per cent of the advertised roles for EV technicians were filled last year.

“We just do not have enough people fixing cars right now, and this has been an issue for quite a few years,” says Matt Hobbs, chief executive of the MTAA.

The impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, aimed at reducing vehicle emissions and encouraging EV uptake, is expected to exacerbate the shortage.

The standard mandates car manufacturers to lower their total car emissions annually or purchase credits from greener companies to meet emissions ceilings.

The shortage is attributed to the industry's struggle to attract, train, and retain skilled workers, with about a quarter of EV mechanic positions currently being filled by overseas workers. 

The MTAA is advocating for the inclusion of the EV technician role in the skills list to ease the hiring process through visa sponsorship.

The transition to EVs also presents new challenges for auto shops, as EVs are more complex and require longer repair times, yet customers are hesitant to pay more for these repairs. 

As Australia gears up for a future dominated by electric vehicles, with forecasts predicting 85 per cent of vehicles on the road will be EVs in 40 years, the industry is calling for a concerted effort from the government to address the skills gap.