The battle against misinformation, and the search for EV mechanics

Even as Australia accelerates its adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), new research from NRMA Insurance has highlighted the need to ramp up efforts to educate and combat misinformation about battery safety and the environmental impact of EVs.

The new report, the second in a two-part series by Ipsos for the Australian insurance giant, has revealed that Australian EV owners are concerned that there are not enough qualified mechanics or EV repairers.

More than 60 per cent of the 2,079 consumers polled by Ipsos in February expressed concern about the lack of qualified EV repairers in their area, while 90 per cent of current and future EV owners said that it is important that their insurer has access to qualified EV repairers.

“For Australians to confidently transition to EVs, it’s essential the entire support infrastructure, from qualified repair professionals to environmentally responsible battery practices, is ready and reliable,” said Julie Batch, NRMA CEO.

“The shift to EVs is transforming the automotive services industry, and it’s happening at a time when the sector is already under pressure due to a skills shortage.

“EVs are sophisticated, software-driven machines, and while hybrid technology has helped familiarise the industry with high-voltage systems, it’s clear that training must rapidly scale up to keep pace with evolving technology.

“In the future, auto repairs will increasingly be about diagnostics, software updates, and battery management. We need to rethink how we attract and train talent, so there’s a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to keep EVs on the road.”

The report also exposed concerns around perceived environmental issues, with 68 per cent of respondents concerned about EV battery recycling and disposal, and only 30 per cent able to voice confidence in the idea of battery reuse and recycling. Similarly, only 31 per cent said that they would be willing to use a recycled battery.

This obviously stems in large part from fears around battery fires, which are exacerbated by the spread of misinformation in the wake of reported fires.

However, the report found that only 712 EV battery fires have been reported around the globe since 2010 – this, despite the fact there are now over 58 million EVs on the roads. Similarly, only 10 battery fires have been reported in road registered EVs in Australia.

Nevertheless, 69 per cent of respondents said they were concerned about safety when charging or the possibility of EVs catching fire. ‘

“Reports of battery fires often don’t distinguish between the high-quality batteries used in road-registered EVs and the lower-grade batteries found in some e-bikes and e-scooters,” said Batch.

“Unfortunately, it’s the latter that have caused most of the recent fires and property damage.”

The report authors suggest regular battery health checks to build trust and strengthen the second-hand EV market. They also urge the creation of a battery supply chain that is capable of supporting recycling and repurposing, as well as providing specialised training for technicians and first responders.