Act now or risk being left behind
10 July 2026 
As the vehicle parc evolves with a growing number of vehicles which are electrified, connected, or equipped with advanced technologies entering the market, Nick Connor, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), argues that workshops that invest now will be best placed to win work, retain customers and protect their businesses in the future.
If you’re an independent workshop owner, it’s easy to understand why EV and advanced vehicle technology training isn’t always at a top priority.
Right now, you’re dealing with rising costs, recruitment challenges, productivity pressures and customers who need their vehicles back as quickly as possible. And for independents, many of those vehicles will be petrol or diesel and probably only feature limited advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). When faced with a choice between investing in training and equipment that generates immediate revenue versus training that may not deliver an obvious return for months or even years, many businesses understandably focus on the here and now.
The problem is that the vehicle parc isn’t standing still. While many workshops are responding to today’s workload, the vehicles entering the market are steadily changing the shape of tomorrow’s.
The market has already changed
In April, the UK passed a major milestone with the registration of its two millionth battery electric vehicle (BEV). In May, BEVs accounted for 27.3% of all new car registrations, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids represented a further 26.7% of the market. Together, electrified vehicles now account for more than half of all new vehicle registrations in the UK. This matters because today’s new vehicles are tomorrow’s aftermarket workload.
Every vehicle entering the market will eventually require servicing, maintenance, diagnostics, repair and calibration. Increasingly, those vehicles will contain high-voltage systems, sophisticated electronics and connectivity and advanced driver assistance systems ADAS that require specialist knowledge and safe working practices.
The question is no longer whether these vehicles will reach independent workshops. The question is whether your workshop will be ready when they do.
In reality, many workshops are already working on vehicles that incorporate high-voltage systems, connectivity, hybrid technology or safety-critical ADAS features. Modern vehicles are evolving rapidly. ADAS technology that was once limited to premium vehicles is now commonplace across the market. Features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems are becoming standard. While there is a natural tendency to delay investment until demand becomes impossible to ignore, that approach carries its own risks.
By the time EVs represent a significant proportion of a workshop’s workload, trained technicians may be harder to recruit, training demand may be higher and competitors may already have established a reputation for servicing these vehicles. Customers who have found a workshop they trust rarely move back simply because a competitor eventually catches up.
ADAS is changing the conversation
While much of the industry focus currently is on electrification, ADAS may prove to be an equally significant challenge for the aftermarket. Unlike many traditional vehicle systems, ADAS is directly linked to safety-critical vehicle functions. Incorrect calibration following a windscreen replacement, suspension repair, wheel alignment or accident repair can affect how a vehicle brakes, steers or responds to hazards.
This is no longer simply a technical issue. It is a customer safety issue. As these systems become more widespread, workshops need to be able to demonstrate that the people working on them have the appropriate competence and training. That makes qualifications and recognised standards increasingly important from both a business and liability perspective.
The growing importance of technician competence is also attracting attention at policy level. In May, the IMI brought together industry leaders, legal experts, fleet operators and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Richard Holden MP to discuss the future of workforce safety in the automotive sector. The panel unanimously concluded that, as vehicles become increasingly reliant on electrification, connectivity, automation and advanced safety systems, there is a growing need for demonstrable, auditable competence across the workforce.
Participants called for the government to consider making recognised standards such as IMI TechSafe mandatory across key technology areas, including EVs, ADAS, connected vehicles and alternative fuels. The discussion also highlighted a broader shift taking place across the industry, one which sees competence no longer simply a matter of professional development. Instead, it is increasingly being viewed as a critical element of road safety, consumer confidence and regulatory readiness.
Too often, training is viewed as a cost, but the most successful businesses tend to view it differently. IMI TechSafe provides a recognised benchmark that demonstrates technician competence across modern vehicle technologies, including EVs, hybrids, hydrogen-powered vehicles, connected and ADAS-equipped vehicles. For workshop owners, it delivers several benefits.
It provides confidence that technicians can work safely on increasingly complex vehicles. It helps demonstrate that the business is taking reasonable steps to manage risk and meet professional standards. It provides reassurance to customers and insurers. Most importantly, it enables workshops to continue accepting work as the vehicle parc evolves. This is becoming increasingly important because the skills pipeline is not keeping pace with vehicle technology.
The IMI estimates that around 74,700 technicians currently hold an EV qualification, representing approximately 35% of the UK’s technician workforce. However, demand is forecast to outstrip supply, with a potential shortfall of more than 43,000 EV-qualified technicians by 2035. For workshops, that presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Businesses that invest early will be better positioned to attract customers, recruit talent and differentiate themselves from competitors. Those who delay may find themselves competing for an increasingly limited pool of qualified technicians.
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