Shortage of skilled repairers, safety and parts for EVs remain a major barrier to their confident uptake, according to a new insurance report.
The NRMA report shows almost two thirds (62 per cent) of EV owners are concerned about the lack of qualified repairers and 90 per cent of who currently own or intend to an EV list say the insurer being able to qualified EV repairers was important
The NRMA’s report Changing Gear reflects a repeated call by aftermarket groups including the MTAs and the AAAA for governments to step up support for the transition by ensuring adequate skills to ensure the EV experience is not only about purchasing but about repair and maintenance.
The report also highlighted 68 per cent of Australians worried were about EV battery recycling and disposal, and only 30 per cent expressing confidence in the feasibility of battery reuse and recycling.
This lack of trust is reflected in attitudes toward second-hand components, with fewer than a third (31 per cent willing to use a recycled battery.
Misinformation a major barrier
It comes when another report from the University of Queensland showed more than a third of Australian’s wrongly believed EVs were more likely to catch fire than Ice vehicles.
The survey conducted deliberately posed untrue questions to gauge public responses and opinions and the impact of misinformation.
The NRMA report found EV battery fires are extremely rare only712 fires have been reported worldwide since 2010, even though there are more than 58 million EVs on the road.
But despite this, over two-thirds of Australians (69 per cent) remain concerned about EVs catching fire, or their safety when charging.
NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch says it showed the work that needed to be done to overcome confusion and misinformation and build confidence in an electric future.
“Reports of battery fires often don’t distinguish between the high-quality batteries used in road-registered EVs and the lower-grade batteries found in some e-bikes and e-scooters,” she explains. “Unfortunately, it’s the latter that have caused most of the recent fires and property damage.”
“The shift to EVs is transforming the automotive services industry, and it’s happening at a time when the sector is already under pressure due to a skills shortage. EVs are sophisticated, software-driven machines, and while hybrid technology has helped familiarise the industry with high-voltage systems, it’s clear that training must rapidly scale up to keep pace with evolving technology.
“In the future, auto repairs will increasingly be about diagnostics, software updates, and battery management. We need to rethink how we attract and train talent, so there’s a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to keep EVs on the road.”
Repair solutions
While the psh has been strong for more government support to assist small workshops become Ev safety compliant, some of the solution to upskilling of the industry lies in specialised service providers and trainers like Bosch.
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions General Manager John Bright says the gaps in EV skills uptake is exacerbating the existing recruitment issues in automotive.
“The shift to electric vehicles is driving a significant transformation in the skills needed across the automotive service industry,” Bright says in the report.
“The sector is already facing a shortage, with over 38,000 unfilled automotive positions, and the transition to EVs is presenting new challenges. EVs are software-driven machines, and while hybrid technology has provided some exposure to high-voltage systems, there is an urgent need for more training to keep up with evolving technology.
“As an industry, we must collaborate to attract more talent. We need to highlight the sector’s focus on new technologies and demonstrate how repair work now revolves around diagnostics, software updates, and battery management. Without a commitment to modernisation, we risk falling behind in the EV era.”
Boosting Consumer Confidence
The NRMA report recommends introducing regular battery health checks to build trust and strengthen the second-hand market, developing a battery supply chain that supports recycling and repurposing, and providing specialised training for technicians and first responders.
The report uses Norway as the model where EVs now make up 89per cent of new car sales – and is driven by strong government support, tax breaks, and a reliable charging network while Germany EV sales dropped after subsidies were removed.
The NRMA report shows potential EV owners could be persuaded with support, lower electricity costs (45per cent) and more affordable EVs (40per cent)
Most current EV owners (81per cent) support government incentives, and over half (53per cent) want more local charging stations.
Most Australians turn to motoring groups (58per cent) and mechanics (56per cent) for reliable EV advice.