Electric Vehicle Uptake Driving Need for Industry Training, Says NRMA Insurance

Australia is driving toward an all-new look on the roads with more electric cars being sold every month and while those numbers may have slowed in recent months, it’s not stopping. But what are the ramifications of this transition? NRMA Insurance released their first Changing Gears report almost a year ago, and the second instalment looks directly at the need to ready the “after market” for EVs.

NRMA’s follow up is Part 2 Changing Gears: Exploring the Future of Battery Safety, Sustainability, and Electric Vehicle Repairs is – as titled, a look at a bit more than just the ownership desires of Aussies.

There are now more than 80 different Electric Car models in Australia, and more to come. The CSIRO is still predicting that most cars will be electric by 2050 so the NRMA Insurance report is examining the market for EVs after they are sold. Servicing, Repairs, Battery life and Battery safety included.

The report shows that over 60% of EV owners are concerned about the lack of qualified repairers in their area. Likewise, 90% of EV owners say it’s important their insurer has access to qualified EV repairers.

CEO of NRMA Insurance Julie Batch says the there’s still more that needs to be done to give prospective EV owners confidence, “For Australians to confidently transition to EVs, it’s essential the entire support infrastructure, from qualified repair professionals to environmentally responsible battery practices, is ready and reliable,”

“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.”

NRMA Insurance is working with Automotive repair suppliers like Bosch to ensure their own repair network and workshops are evolving to meet the needs of EV owners.

Battery health and safety was also a feature, with 68% of Aussies worried about EV battery recycling and disposal, and with over two thirds of Aussies worried about EVs catching fire, there’s a need to look at education, with this report – and others – making it very clear EV battery fires are extremely rare.

Ms Batch says much of this concern stems from confusion and misinformation “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.”

“EVs are an important part of Australia’s shift to a cleaner, more sustainable future – they can cut emissions, improve air quality, and help lower fuel and maintenance costs,” Ms Batch said. “But with new technology comes new questions, especially around battery safety. That’s why it’s so important for drivers to have access to clear, trustworthy information.”

There’s a lot of work to do, and Julie Batch joined us on this week’s episode of Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars to discuss the report, and the path ahead for EVs, and the automotive industry.