Electric Vehicle (EV) sales experienced a significant surge in Canada in 2024, up 14.6% from 2023, ensuring that one in every seven new vehicles sold in Canada is officially designated as zero-emission. This reflects a broader growth curve for EVs worldwide, with global projections that 2025 will see an overall increase of 25% from 2024. This has led to a sudden and drastic rise in the number of EV technicians needed for automotive manufacturers, commercial and residential charging stations, and after-market service centers.

Despite some recent policy changes in the United States, the trend for increased EV sales remains strong across North America. An active player in filling these EV technician positions is George Brown College, with its EV Technician Certificate – an online program devoted to those individuals wanting to become EV technicians or further their careers in EV-related fields.

Here is a summary of how someone in this constantly expanding industry must balance an innate understanding of electrical systems and integrated mechanical components and their interconnected relationship with EVs.

An EV Technician in Automotive Manufacturing

With global investment in EV technologies by both automotive manufacturers and battery manufacturers expected to reach $1.2 trillion globally in 2025, coupled with a recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund showing that North American investment in EVs reached $199 billion over the previous nine years, leading to 201,900 new EV technician-related positions, it’s easy to see why today’s automotive manufacturers represent a significant portion of demand for new EV technicians.

• Integration of Lithium-Ion Battery Packs and Electric Motors

From working and optimizing high-voltage, lithium-ion battery packs, electric motors, and integrated electronic systems to performing system-wide diagnostics, initiating repairs, and playing a hands-on role in mechanical assemblies like brake systems, transmissions, ignition systems, drivetrains, and suspensions, EV technicians play a critical role in the production of EVs.

• Staying Up to Date With Constantly Evolving Technology

Today’s EV technicians must be adept with constantly changing battery pack and module designs, battery management systems, single and dual electric motor configurations, as well as understanding the need to always maintain safety around high-voltage battery assemblies and systems.

In a constant effort to improve efficiencies, today’s automotive manufacturers are constantly pushing the envelope in terms of EV driving distances, leading to a constant drive for new, more efficient EV technology and integrated systems.

• Constant Training and New Skills Development

Constant training and new skills development are critical for EV technicians working at an EV automotive plant. Both the EV market and battery market are constantly advancing. Battery designs must continually increase energy output with smaller, more compact envelopes. The need to constantly redesign battery packs and modules for increased space savings and increased energy efficiency means an EV Technician must continually keep up with new, emerging battery and electric motor designs.

An EV Technician for Commercial and Residential Charging Stations

From installing EV charging stations to maintenance, repair, overhaul, and troubleshooting of these charging stations, EV technicians play a critical role in ensuring today’s commercial charging stations run efficiently. This means becoming subject-matter experts concerning Level 1 and Level 2 commercial and residential charging stations, as well as DC fast charging stations.

With the growth of EVs, today’s EV technicians are also essential to installing residential charging stations. This has given rise to convenient and fast home-based charging systems that allow EV owners to charge vehicles overnight while they sleep.

An EV Technician Working for a Dealership and Aftermarket Service Centers

An EV technician must also have a working knowledge of combustion engines for hybrid vehicle production, in addition to being able to troubleshoot the complex nature of integrated electronics. This ability to diagnose and detect EV-related battery module or motor problems while finding low-cost solutions is a critical requirement for EV technicians working at dealerships or aftermarket service centers.

This troubleshooting experience extends beyond just the electrical systems, battery packs, and electric motors. It also encompasses all electronics drivetrain electronics, and electric control systems.

The EV Technician Program at George Brown College

The online EV technician certificate program provided by George Brown College addresses a wide range of the subject matter an aspiring EV technician will require to become an active player in the EV industry. From introducing students to the fundamentals of electricity and electronic systems to providing them with in-depth knowledge of high-voltage EV safety protocols and systems, battery packs, fuel cells, and battery management systems, an EV technician certificate from George Brown College is the go-to solution.

The program also helps students become well-versed in EV powertrains, and provides a framework for being able to partake in commercial and residential battery charging station installations.

After completing the George Brown College EV Technician Program, individuals will have the ability to troubleshoot and solve common problems with EV batteries, motors, and integrated electronic systems within EVs while ensuring they have a solid foundation for EV maintenance and upkeep.

If you’ve decided that becoming an EV technician is in your future, then George Brown College has the EV Technician Program you need. To learn more about this rewarding program, call a Program Consultant toll-free at 1-888-553-5333.