A new facility to train mechanics, first responders, and others in the motor trade on the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles has been officially opened in Dundee.
Dundee and Angus College established the Electric Vehicle Training School in an effort to bridge the skills gap within the motor trade around EV’s and to prevent local independent garages being forced out of the market.
In 2021, EVs made up 18.5% of all new car sales according to research by heycar, but as the number of plug-in cars on the road grows, the number of places they can be maintained, repaired, and serviced remains low, other than large garage chains or main dealerships.
Stephen Swinley, Head of Curriculum and Quality for Engineering at Dundee and Angus College, said: “The motor industry is changing at a pace not seen for generations, and with the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to be banned in the UK at the end of the current decade, there has never been a more vitally needed facility than this if independent garages and mechanics are to be able to retain a place in the market.
“However, our courses are not just designed for those working under the bonnet, whether you are a recovery driver, paramedic, firefighter, or even fleet driver, there are necessary skills required to deal with and work around electric vehicles to keep yourself safe, and prevent damage.”
The College offers three levels of courses at the facility on Kilspindie Road, Dundee, which was opened on 12 May by Cllr John Alexander, Leader of Dundee City Council, and EV adventurer and influencer, Chris Ramsey.
These range from the introductory ‘Awareness’ course to the Level 3, which is designed for those who need to repair and replace high voltage electrical systems within the vehicles, with a fourth course specifically for recovery drivers and emergency service personnel going live in the next academic year.
Cllr Alexander said: “Dundee has been a trailblazer, and international award winner, for its work on the introduction and rollout of EV infrastructure.
“We know that the climate emergency requires a variety of measures to mitigate our impact on the climate, electrification of vehicles is one of those. As we see demand for EV’s increase dramatically, we need to ensure we have the skills and technology to support that increase.
“That is why a facility like this is so vital, not only to Dundee’s future in staying ahead of the curve but also in assisting the entire country by acting as a blueprint and a trailblazer.”
Mr Ramsey was the first, and so far only, person to complete the infamous Mongol Rally from London to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. During his talk he spoke about his experiences of attempting to find a charge or somewhere to repair his car, a Nissan Leaf with around 80 miles of range, in countries where even new fossil fuel cars are a rarity and the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.
He said: “The need for a facility such as this has never been greater and I’m delighted to see that once again it is Dundee that is leading the EV revolution, not just in the UK, but across Europe and internationally.
“I truly believe that the biggest barrier to people taking up electric vehicles is a lack of knowledge and understanding of this new and emerging technology, which is why courses like these are absolutely vital to help people on that journey and ensure that independent garages and mechanics are not left behind in the wake of progress.”
The courses are held at various times each month at Robert Lawson and Sons, and can be booked online at the College’s website, however a limited amount of funding is available for small and medium businesses which can be accessed by contacting the College directly.
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