Apprentice mechanics favour hybrid technology over full electric vehicles for the future of the automotive – via Apprenticeships Are Us
While electric vehicle (EV) technology offers cost efficiency and environmental benefits, many future mechanics in Australia still prefer working with traditional mechanical engines. They view hybrid technology, which combines both internal combustion engines and electric power, as the future of the automotive industry, over fully electric battery-powered vehicles.
Phil Cooksey, General Manager of Apprenticeships Are Us Ltd (ARU), said the majority of automotive apprentices come to the trade because they were won over by traditional engines and mechanical problem solving.
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“Young people come to do an apprenticeship because they have visions of being a mechanic from watching the Formula One Grand Prix or shows like Fast and Furious. Their Dad or Uncle is a mechanic, and they heard his stories, or watched him in the workshop for years. Often, they have also been working on their own racing or drifting car behind the scenes,” Mr Cooksey said.
“So, I can understand it’s kind of a surprise when they find themselves having to undertake additional training required to service EV and hybrid vehicles. The training addresses EV technology, specifically high-voltage systems, EV-specific repair techniques, and battery diagnostics.”
Supply and demand
Mr Cooksey said customer demand has meant almost every workshop all over the country is expected to work with all types of engines on the market now – petrol, diesel, electric, and the hybrids.
“New mechanics need to learn every type, because it is a customer expectation that all workshops are able to service any engine type, and of course, the workshops are businesses and want to be profitable and satisfy their customers.”
According to Mr Cooksey, apprentice mechanics strongly prefer the hybrid model of light vehicle, because the engine combines two power sources internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor powered by a battery).
“While our new mechanics grew up with groundbreaking technology, they were ultimately attracted to this industry because they love the idea of working with real combustion engines. With these engines, they are more hands on because there are moving parts. There is more to adjust and more areas to service. As an industry, we express a strong preference for hybrid vehicles, because they use both electric and mechanical systems, which means that mechanics can often rely on traditional diagnostic tools for engine and transmission issues.”
According to Mr Cooksey, the industry struggles to see any longevity behind EVs.
“Hybrids have more to diagnose and repair, there is more that can be adjusted according to the driver’s preferences and usership. Even since 2014, F1 cars are receiving a performance boost from the benefits hybrid technology offers for cars, such as energy efficiency as well as the extra 163 horsepower the Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic adds,” he said.