Reducing apprehension with excitement: Ensuring safe and skilled EV repairs in Canada 

The global electric vehicle (EV) market shows no signs of slowing down. It is expected to grow from 2.5 million units in 2020 to over 30 million by 2030, and battery electric vehicles (BEV) production will exceed traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2040. Taking full advantage of this market is Ontario—a province driving significant advancements in BEV technology and supply chain development. While this growth offers many benefits, such as fostering innovation, creating new job opportunities, and decreasing pollution, there are challenges as well. 

Electric vehicles in Canada: The basics 

In December 2023, the Government of Canada announced the Electric Vehicle Availability Mandate, setting a target starting in 2026 that at least 20 per cent of new light-duty vehicles offered for sale will be zero-emission vehicles (EVs) with annual increases to 60 per cent in 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035. 

While EVs increased in popularity in 2023, manufacturers, notably battery manufacturers, must shift priorities to meet this upcoming demand. However, Canada is the only country in the Western Hemisphere with all the raw materials required for a lithium-ion battery, with Northern Ontario already being a key producer of nickel, cobalt, copper, and several lithium graphite mineral development projects that could supply battery manufacturers for many years to come. 

Ontario is already a hotspot for EVs; in the past three years, the province has brought in more than $28 billion in automotive and EV investments, including the $7 billion investment by Volkswagen for a new battery plant in St. Thomas. With this, more than 100,000 auto workers are expected to be up-skilled to work in the sector. 

Electric vehicle batteries: Safety concerns 

It is clear that EVs are here to stay and that Ontario is emerging as a leader in EV and EV battery manufacturing. However, BEVs are an intricate form of vehicle technology. Businesses such as collision repair shops, mechanics, and auto recyclers see increased BEVs daily. However, there is an apprehension when working on these vehicles due to a poor understanding of the health and safety hazards that come with them. 

Because EV batteries are so new, there is not much information about health and safety—and in many cases, the information out there is changing due to new findings. Battery hazards include thermal events, electrical shocks, and, in some instances, electrocution. 

To combat this apprehension toward working on EV batteries and to ensure safe and quality repairs, implementing a standard among training platforms is vital. 

“In the case of BEVs, many trainings are available, but most of these have not been designed to meet a set-industry wide standard. Workers who took these trainings assume they are completely safe while conducting repairs,” said Stuart Klein, Vice President, Collision Programs at Automotive Industries Assocation of Canda (AIA Canada). 

“Without a standard in place, no one can feel confident that they have all the necessary skills while working on a BEV. This is a significant safety issue that affects the industry across the country. Our goal at I-CAR Canada is to ensure that everyone has the skills and knowledge they need to conduct safe and proper repairs, which is why our EV trainings have been built to follow the European standard.” 

Looking ahead: Keeping Canadians safe 

Without a doubt, EVs are full of complex technology and require specific skills to diagnose and repair. However, the wheels for an EV-dominated future are in motion, and the auto care industry needs to have a plan to ensure that automotive service technicians and Canadian drivers are safe. Having a national standard is an essential step in the right direction. In addition to that, employers have their own duties to guarantee safety. Workers must be educated about all physical hazards and be provided the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), and develop and train workers on standard operating procedures for working on EVs. 

To learn more about how to ensure a safe future with EV repairs, and how Ontario is becoming a significant player in the EV battery supply chain, read the white paper, Plugged into Safety: A primer on the hazards of working with battery electric vehicles, by the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, created in partnership with AIA Canada, I-CAR Canada, and others.