Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that there is the right level of electric vehicle maintenance and repair skills to support the projected increase in electric vehicle adoption.

The Government is committed to ensuring the UK has the skills needed to support the growing number of zero emission electric vehicles. According to the Institute of the Motor Industry, around 71,942 technicians (26% of the UK’s total) are qualified to work on electric vehicles, which currently make up about 4.2% of all licensed vehicles. The proportion of electrified vehicles (including hybrids) is estimated to be slightly higher, at 13%. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has endorsed the Institute of the Motor Industry’s TechSafe scheme, which ensures technicians have the skills required to safely repair zero emission electric vehicles and provides consumers with a register of qualified professionals.