Chennai, Aug 6
The Tamil Nadu government will train 22,500 people, including 12,500 roadside automobile mechanics, in electric vehicle (EV) servicing over the next five years as part of a new skill development programme aimed at preparing the traditional workforce for the transition to electric mobility.
The initiative, announced in the State’s 2026-27 Revised Budget, has been allocated Rs 3 crore for the current financial year. It will equip mechanics currently servicing petrol and diesel two-wheelers and four-wheelers with skills required to repair and maintain EVs and their battery systems.
Labour Department sources said the programme was formulated following representations from conventional automobile mechanics during a pre-Budget meeting with Labour and Skill Development Minister J. Mohamed Farvas. Mechanics had sought specialised training amid concerns that the rapid growth of electric vehicles could affect employment opportunities for workers skilled primarily in internal combustion engine vehicles.
Officials said EV maintenance requires expertise in areas such as battery packs, electric motors, power electronics, diagnostic systems and high-voltage components, which differ significantly from conventional automobile servicing.
The proposed courses will provide hands-on training in EV servicing, battery maintenance, fault diagnosis, safety procedures and the use of modern diagnostic equipment. Special emphasis will be placed on the safe handling of high-voltage electrical systems.
The Labour Department is selecting a professional training partner to design and conduct the programme. Detailed guidelines on eligibility, course duration, training centres and batch sizes will be issued ahead of its launch.
Officials said the initiative was part of the government’s broader strategy to upgrade workers’ skills in line with changing industrial requirements and ensure traditional mechanics remain employable as the automobile sector shifts towards cleaner technologies.
The programme also complements the ruling TVK’s Assembly election promise to provide Rs 10,000 in financial assistance to traditional mechanics undergoing training to qualify as EV technicians.
The government expects the initiative to create a larger pool of skilled EV technicians while supporting Tamil Nadu’s transition towards cleaner mobility and reducing dependence on petroleum fuels.
