20 Automotive Technician Shortage: By Les Swizer, Staff Counsel Any new car dealer will tell you that talent retention is a challenge, specifically in the service department. The pool of qualified auto technicians in the industry has been dwindling for some time, and the pandemic wreaked havoc on an already waning supply. The so-called “Great Resignation,” coupled with a mass exodus of baby boomers retiring from the industry, has created an even larger vacuum. The industry predicts to be short over 600,000 automotive, collision, and diesel technicians between 2020 and 2024. The baby boomer generation alone anticipates leaving a deficit of over 100,000 techs upon retirement in the next decade or so. But won’t the Electric Vehicle (EV) revolution naturally fix this deficit because EVs need less maintenance? In short, no. The EV revolution will likely exacerbate the issue, given the new skill set required to diagnose and repair these complex systems. While standard maintenance (such as fluid exchanges) is not required on EVs, these vehicles still have components that wear and are not immune to malfunction. Given that EV tech is still evolving, diagnostic and repair times will be longer, especially in the nascent stages of each manufacturer’s new EV model launch. This means more techs will be needed to handle the flow of vehicles because techs will be held up longer per vehicle. ICE vehicles are not going to disappear as of 2035. While California is in the process of adopting regulations requiring all new vehicles sold by 2035 to be zero emission, that doesn’t mean internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will be banned, nor will it prevent people from bringing ICE vehicles into the state. Considering many people are priced out of EVs, it is not unreasonable to expect people to hold on to their ICE vehicles longer, which necessarily equates to more time in the service drive. How can dealers prepare for the impact of the EV revolution in their service drives? Dealers are already ahead of the game by being involved in their communities, contributing to high school automotive and shop programs, offering apprenticeships, providing training on emerging vehicle technologies, and creating a clean and respectful environment both on the sales floor and the shop floor. Some areas may need examining if you struggle to recruit or retain talent. What will be the Impact of the EV Revolution?
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