The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) hosted an Electric Vehicle Advisory Group meeting on Tuesday ( 5 February).  The forum with cross-industry experts was designed to begin the process of agreeing appropriate Professional Standards dedicated to protecting technicians working on electric and hybrid vehicles.

Those in attendance included Andy Savva, James Dillon, Wayne McCluskey  from ZF Services, Prof Jim Saker  from Loughborough University,  Steve Hammond  and  Alan Hayler from Toyota and many others. The forum also included garage owners, insurers, suppliers and training providers.  

Following a poll of IMI Members where 98% called for regulation of technicians, the IMI has been leading the efforts to secure minimum training standards for technicians working at different levels on electric and hybrid vehicles, from basic maintenance to full diagnostic and repair.   The Electrical Vehicle Advisory Group, led by the IMI, will now be determining the main factors that need to be considered in the Electric Vehicle Professional Standards, and will continue to work together to develop the standards over the coming months.      

Steve Nash, Chief Executive at the IMI, said:“There is a real imperative for accepted sector-wide EV Professional Standards before we ‘cross the chasm’ from early-adopters to the majority of consumers embracing EV’s in the 2020’s. The IMI is pro-actively developing EV Professional Standards based around existing EV qualifications, IMI Accreditation or accredited training; its code of professional behaviours, and a commitment to Continual Professional Development (CPD).   

“The EV Sector Advisory Group meeting, where experts from across the industry had a chance to comment and contribute on the requirements was important to shape the development of the standards that aim to benefit everyone. This is an evolving process and we look forward to further meetings in the months to come.”  

Andy Savva, The Garage Inspector said: “I think an Electrified Vehicle Standard would be a good thing because then we can be measured against something, and at the moment as we're unregulated everything is done internally in the motor trade, voluntary or not. We need something with a little bit of substance to add weight and credibility to consumers.  

“I 100% support introducing an Electric Vehicle Professional Standard - I've been calling for that but also general licensing to work on all vehicles. It’s more critical for people who come into contact with electric vehicles because of the safety factor and the injuries that can be caused when people are working on these electric vehicles.”  

Full details can be found via the IMI website: www.theimi.org.uk/