Oakland County Auto Shops Face a Perfect Storm: How the Electric Vehicle Revolution is Creating an Unprecedented Skills Gap Crisis
The automotive landscape in Oakland County, Michigan is experiencing a seismic shift that’s creating both unprecedented opportunities and critical challenges for local repair shops. While the IEA predicts that 2.9 million BEVs will be sold in the U.S. in 2025, less than two years from now, it also estimates that that number will climb to 6.8 million in 2030, creating an urgent need for skilled electric vehicle technicians that the industry is struggling to meet.
The Numbers Tell a Stark Story
The scope of the technician shortage crisis extends far beyond electric vehicles alone. TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit focused on workforce development in the automotive industry, recently released its 2021 Transportation Technician Supply & Demand Report, revealing that by 2025 demand for new technicians is estimated to outpace supply by five to one. Even more concerning, only about 3% of automotive technicians currently proficient in electric vehicle maintenance and fewer than 10% qualified to work directly on EV batteries.
This shortage is particularly acute when it comes to EV-specific skills. Based on available data, there are currently 1,270 ICE-powered vehicles to every ASE-Certified technician that can work on them. By comparison, there are only 807 EVs for every technician with an EV-specific ASE certification. As electric vehicle adoption accelerates, this gap will only widen unless decisive action is taken.
Oakland County Leads the Charge
Recognizing this critical need, Oakland County has emerged as a leader in addressing the EV technician shortage. The Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician Training Program at Oakland Community College is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of electric vehicle technology. This is a unique opportunity to get involved as the industry shifts towards more sustainable technology which includes electrification.
The county’s commitment goes beyond basic training programs. Oakland County Michigan Works! is partnering with The EV Jobs Academy, the Global Epicenter of Mobility and educational institutions to provide Oakland County residents with training to prepare them for jobs in EV and Mobility. Up to $5,000 in tuition is available for each eligible student and program. This is a rewarding career financially, with an average salary of $72,000, based on a 2023 report issued by the State of Michigan.
The Ripple Effect on Local Auto Shops
For established auto repair businesses like Master Touch Auto Sports, a family-owned Auto Shop Oakland County MI operation, this skills gap presents both challenges and opportunities. Their service technicians have been bringing automotive dreams to life right here in Detroit, Michigan. They specialize in custom builds, maintenance, and classic car restorations, offering everything from A-Z to full restorations. Their expert team uses only the highest quality parts and offers professional installation to make sure your car runs like new.
However, as the automotive landscape evolves, shops that have traditionally focused on conventional vehicles must adapt. Their team has years of experience working with both modern and classic cars, providing everything from engine performance upgrade, transmission, coilovers, lifting kit and electric diagnosistics, demonstrating how forward-thinking shops are already beginning to integrate EV capabilities into their service offerings.
The Training Challenge
The transition to electric vehicle servicing isn’t just about learning new technology—it requires a fundamental shift in approach. Automotive technicians and mechanics will require formal training to deal with high-voltage electricity, high-tech software and mechanical parts within an EV. Training begins in high school or post-secondary vocational school and community college. Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a nonprofit organization that tests and certifies auto mechanics and technicians, is typically required to work at large repair shops or dealerships.
The safety considerations alone are significant. Working with high-voltage electrical systems requires specialized knowledge and equipment that goes far beyond traditional automotive repair skills. To prevent the existing significant shortage of EV technicians, automobile manufacturers, vocational institutes, and industry organizations have to partner to provide programs that offer the entire mechanic classes. Those programs should incorporate the technical details of the DC electric car technology, which includes the battery system and the electronic drive train of the electric vehicles.
Economic Impact and Consumer Implications
The technician shortage has real-world consequences for consumers. As the number of EVs continues to increase, there is no doubt that experts in this field will be in high demand to support the increased complexity of these vehicles. Without a suitable workforce, EV owners may lose their time at the service; they might have increased costs and decreased reliability.
For shop owners, the economics are compelling. Our research indicates that many new vehicle dealerships have three technician openings at any time. The 2023 NADA mid-year report indicated that the average customer-pay repair order (CPRO – for parts and labor) was $445. If we assume an 85% productivity rate and 20 working days in a month, each technician job opening results in lost parts and service revenue of more than $60,000 per month, meaning three openings represent more than $180,000 in lost revenue monthly!
Solutions and Adaptations
Progressive auto shops are finding creative ways to bridge the skills gap. Some are partnering with local training institutions, while others are investing in upskilling their existing workforce. Experienced technicians who have traditionally worked on a combustion engine will need to learn the EV side of the house and be able to cross the aisle when needed. We feel that technically savvy individuals may be drawn to working on electric trucks. This type of work may appeal to a different group of individuals, some with an electrical background.
The industry is also seeing new types of workers enter the field. EV tech work may have a greater appeal to a non-traditional technician, potentially helping to diversify the workforce and attract talent from other industries.
Looking Forward
The skills gap crisis facing Oakland County auto shops is both urgent and solvable. With strong educational partnerships, significant financial incentives, and growing recognition of the career opportunities in EV service, the region is positioning itself to meet this challenge head-on. For consumers, this means choosing service providers who are investing in the future—shops that understand both traditional automotive excellence and the emerging world of electric vehicle technology.
Success will require collaboration between established businesses, educational institutions, and forward-thinking technicians willing to embrace change. The auto shops that thrive in this new landscape will be those that recognize the skills gap not as an insurmountable obstacle, but as an opportunity to lead in the next chapter of automotive service.