EV, hybrid servicing and repairs set to cost more, take longer under new laws
New regulations for technicians working on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids in New South Wales could cause delays and see service costs rise due to a shortage of technicians meeting the new qualifications.
The proposed rules would require mechanics to complete additional battery tech and safety courses before they can legally work on EVs and hybrids.
The regulations have been proposed as part of a new Act to replace the current Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation which expires on September 1, 2025.
Should these pass into law, the rules will be applied to new mechanics and the 49,000 existing mechanics in NSW – which make up one third of the total number across Australia – even those having already worked on EVs.
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The regulations extend to technicians carrying out 'steering, suspension and wheel alignment work' meaning tyre fitters may also be required to take the course in order to legally perform a wheel alignment on an EV.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) estimates only around 10 per cent of technicians in NSW have completed any EV training.
The AAAA also argues it's more challenging for technicians in regional areas to access the training and take the time out of their workshop to complete it.
The regulations have been proposed by New South Wales (NSW) Fair Trading, which provides the regulatory framework for the buying, selling and repair of motor vehicles across the state.
There are around 7.4 million cars on NSW roads, according to Fair Trading's data.
The official course is the AURSS00064 Battery Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set.
It costs between $1500–$3000 and takes six days to complete, with some education providers advertising it over a four-day period.
It's not just EV servicing and repair work affected, with hybrids – which also feature a high-voltage battery – also impacted.
The proposed laws state that a tradesperson with certificates in three repair classes, such as electrical accessory fitting work, radiator repair work, and steering, suspension, and wheel alignment work, will also be prohibited from working on hybrid vehicles until they complete a mandatory course, dubbed Depowering and reinitialising BEVs – AURETH101 Depower and reinitialise battery.
According to the AAAA the regulations, revealed in a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), are 'deeply flawed' and need to be reviewed.
'This is not just a workforce issue — it's a consumer issue,' AAAA chief executive officer Stuart Charity in a statement.
'This rushed approach will reduce access to essential repair services and increase costs for NSW motorists.'
Mr Charity suggests the 'rushed approach' included a lack of consultation with industry groups such as the AAAA, which recommends 'transition plans' for EV training in NSW.
'We agree that technicians working on high-voltage vehicles must be trained and competent — and that's already happening,' Mr Charity added. 'But this proposal creates a legislative barrier that will drastically reduce the number of qualified service providers overnight. It will drive up costs for consumers and cause serious delays in repair and servicing.'
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"This is not a compliance play, it's a portfolio of options," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "At Ford, we want to let the customers choose so they can pick the right tool for the job. "The regulatory requirements in Australia have changed very rapidly, faster than normal process. But we already had this in development, and we'll continue to enhance the portfolio. "We're launching it now, but we didn't do this because of the new requirements. It's part of our overall mission to offer a portfolio of options." Despite his insistence that the plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger wasn't an emissions-led project, Mr Baumbick admitted that Ford was caught on the back foot by tightening regulations across the globe. The ink officially dried on the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) at the start of this year, bringing with it regulations designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian car market. 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"This is not a compliance play, it's a portfolio of options," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "At Ford, we want to let the customers choose so they can pick the right tool for the job. "The regulatory requirements in Australia have changed very rapidly, faster than normal process. But we already had this in development, and we'll continue to enhance the portfolio. "We're launching it now, but we didn't do this because of the new requirements. It's part of our overall mission to offer a portfolio of options." Despite his insistence that the plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger wasn't an emissions-led project, Mr Baumbick admitted that Ford was caught on the back foot by tightening regulations across the globe. The ink officially dried on the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) at the start of this year, bringing with it regulations designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Australian car market. 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