Latest news with #StuartCharity
7NEWS
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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.'
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 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. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 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. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 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.'
The Advertiser
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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." Content originally sourced from: 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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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." Content originally sourced from: 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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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." Content originally sourced from: 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. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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." Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major EV cost warning as critical shortage exposed: 'Only going to get worse'
The number of electric vehicle (EV) repair technicians in Australia needs to drastically increase or consumers will face long wait periods and costs could explode. At the current rate of EV uptake, the country will need around 21,000 qualified repairers by 2030 to service the 3.4 million EVs and hybrid vehicles on our roads. Australia currently only has around 7,000 to 8,000 technicians who can safely work on EVs. Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association chief executive Stuart Charity told Yahoo Finance unless something drastic happens, EV drivers could face a significant hold-up. "We're already hearing stories from dealerships that there's a month or more just waiting for the skilled labour to be able to do repair jobs," he said. "If you have a shortage of technicians, then they'll charge a premium, so that adds to the cost." RELATED Tesla's EV nightmare continues as sales tank again Centrelink blow for Australians 'doing it tough' amid debate over $932 JobSeeker increase ATO responds to controversial tax deduction Aussies try to claim every year: 'Be very careful' The Aftermarket refers to mechanics who don't fall under the authorised dealership banner, with more than 30,000 dotted around Australia. Charity added that there are serious "structural" problems that exist in the market at the moment. "When a job ad goes up for an EV technician, only 40 per cent of those positions are being filled," he said. "And that's even more acute when you start getting into rural and regional areas where there's more difficulty in getting them trained up. "We also have a shortage of trainers throughout the TAFE and registered training organisation systems, so there are several issues structurally that are holding back the ability for the industry to up-skill. "That shortage is only going to exacerbate as the numbers [of EVs on the road] increase."Charity said when wannabe mechanics are doing their automotive apprenticeships, they can choose to specialise in EVs or internal combustion engines (ICE) that use petrol or diesel. They can also choose to do both, which would add more time to their apprenticeship and could dissuade many who are keen on getting qualified as quickly as possible. That extra time also doesn't bode well with that looming 2030 deadline. "Apprenticeships are three to four years and that's a very long timeline when we've got governments pushing for such aggressive EV targets," he said. "We need to up-skill existing technicians on the repair methodology around EVs. It's not completely different, to be brutally honest." Charity revealed that you can learn how to de-power an EV, which means turning off all the ports to ensure you don't get zapped with 1,000 volts during a repair job, with a one-day course. Running diagnostics, meanwhile, can take up to six months to learn. However, Charity fears there could soon be a push at the state and territory level to make it harder for mechanics to up-skill. "In New South Wales, the government's actively considering bringing in a fairly onerous training requirement for anyone working on an EV or hybrid... pretty close to a full apprenticeship for existing technicians," he said. While NSW Fair Trading said no decisions have been made on updated license accreditation, Charity is worried about the uncertainty. If there isn't a concerted push to increase the number of EV technicians, the Aftermarket Association CEO fears this could exacerbate another issue. He's heard of insurers writing off EVs involved in collisions that technically could have been fixed, but the wait time and cost of repair are becoming too much. "What that does is feed into higher insurance premiums," he added. "So there's this knock-on effect if we don't address this issue." Insurance is already a major financial strain for EV drivers. One driver pointed out last year that to get comprehensive insurance for a Tesla, it would have been between $5,073 and $5,175 based on two quotes from different insurers. In comparison, insurance for his Kia was quoted as being between $900 and $1,053. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) told Yahoo Finance that's because EVs have "more complex systems and components, specifically their motor parts and batteries" compared to ICE vehicles. 'The cost of these parts and the limited number of qualified service centres and technicians contributes to the higher cost of insurance premiums for EVs than IC vehicles," it said. The ICA noted that repairing damaged EVs required importing parts to Australia. Other factors playing into the higher premiums included expensive battery replacement costs, which can be between $7,500 and $30,000 or up to 40 per cent of the EV's total in to access your portfolio
