Almost half (42%) of workshop technicians believe electric and hybrid vehicle know-how will be more important than traditional mechanical knowledge in just five years’ time.

The research by CitNow also found that 18% of professionals ranked EV expertise as among the most important skills over the past decade.

It forms part of the company’s Workshop Professional of the Future report, which looks at the evolving role and skillset of workshop technicians according to the industry.

Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of the Motor Industry, said: “The number of EVs and hybrid cars on the roads in the UK went up by three-quarters last year so, obviously, knowledge of these drivetrains will become increasingly important for technicians who want to excel in the automotive industry.

“As the automotive industry continues to evolve, technicians need a broader skillset than ever.

“In-depth mechanical knowledge, electric and hybrid expertise and good communication skills are essential to deliver a rounded service to motorists.”

Registrations of electrified cars – including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars – topped 100,000 for the first time in a single month in March.

The number of electric and hybrid cars in the UK increased by more than three quarters in 2018, taking the number on the road to around 620,000.

The report also found nearly half of mechanics (46%) said traditional mechanical know-how was most important in the past decade, but that figure has declined to under a third (30%) with the advent of new technology.

More than three quarters (76%) of workshop workers believe that an alternative fuel powertrain will power the car of choice for most buyers over the next 10 years.

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