The_Assessor_Spring 2026 web - Flipbook - Page 14
JOURNAL
EV TRAINING
REPAIRERS
RISK LOSING
INSURANCE
WITHOUT
EV TRAINING
Independent garages across the UK are at risk of being refused insurance cover if they
do not have electric vehicle (EV)-trained technicians on site, as insurers begin to tighten
requirements around high-voltage vehicle work.
he warning follows a
real-world case in which
an independent garage
approached Autotech
Training after its insurer
declined to offer cover, citing the
absence of a quali昀椀ed EV technician as
a signi昀椀cant risk factor.
T
While EV training has traditionally
been viewed as a way to future-proof
businesses or unlock new revenue
streams, this case highlights a critical
shift: it is increasingly becoming
essential simply to remain operational.
EV TRAINING MOVES FROM
OPPORTUNITY TO NECESSITY
With more than two million electric
vehicles now on UK roads and
adoption continuing to accelerate,
independent workshops are
encountering EVs more frequently.
However, many are still not equipped
with the skills required to work on
high-voltage systems safely.
As a result, insurers are reassessing risk.
“From an underwriting perspective,
garages working on high-voltage
vehicles without appropriately trained
technicians present a signi昀椀cantly
elevated risk,” said Andrew Harris
ACII, a Chartered Insurance Broker
with 18 years industry experience
providing general risk management
and insurance advice. “In the event
of an incident, questions around
competence, compliance and duty of
care can directly impact liability and
claims outcomes. Without evidence of
appropriate training, this is a level of
risk many insurers are no longer willing
to accept.”
Although EV training is not currently a
legal requirement, existing legislation
places clear responsibilities on
employers. Under the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974 and the
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989,
businesses must ensure that employees
are competent to carry out their work
safely.
Given that electric vehicles contain
high-voltage systems capable of
causing serious injury or death, this
places a clear obligation on garage
owners to ensure technicians are
properly trained.
For businesses, the implications go
beyond compliance. If an incident
occurs involving an untrained
technician, insurers may refuse to pay
out on a claim. In more serious cases,
garage owners could face enforcement
action or prosecution if it is found that
adequate training and safety measures
were not in place.
A GROWING ISSUE ACROSS THE
AFTERMARKET
The case reported to Autotech
Training re昀氀ects a wider shift across the
automotive aftermarket. As the EV parc
continues to grow, more independent
garages are encountering electric
vehicles as part of routine servicing and
repair work.
At the same time, insurers are placing
greater emphasis on demonstrable
competence when assessing risk.
This is changing how EV training is
perceived across the sector – from
a commercial advantage to a core
operational requirement.
Autotech Training, an IMI-approved
14
training provider, is supporting garages
in addressing the issue through on-site
EV training programmes focused
on practical, hands-on learning.
Delivering training within the workshop
environment allows technicians to work
on familiar vehicles and equipment,
making the learning immediately
applicable while minimising disruption
to day-to-day operations.
“We are seeing a clear increase in
demand for EV training as garages
recognise the risks of not being
prepared,” commented Alistair
McCrindle, Operations Director
at Autotech Training. “This is no
longer just about future-proo昀椀ng
or new revenue opportunities – it’s
about protecting staff, meeting legal
responsibilities and ensuring the
business can continue to operate.”
ACT NOW OR RISK FALLING
BEHIND
Garages that delay investing in
EV training risk more than missed
opportunities. Without the right skills
in place, they may struggle to secure
insurance, be forced to turn away
EV work, or rely on subcontractors,
impacting both revenue and
reputation.
On-site training provides a practical
route to building in-house capability,
enabling multiple technicians to gain
accredited EV quali昀椀cations while
maintaining productivity.
Alistair concluded: “Garages that invest
in their teams now will bene昀椀t from
safer operations, stronger customer
con昀椀dence and a business that remains
compliant and competitive as the shift
to electri昀椀cation accelerates.”
JOURNAL
THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | SPRING 2026 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
