THE EAST-WEST ALLIANCE

You can’t argue with the figures: China is the biggest EV market in the world. According to research by ING Group, the Dutch multinational banking and financial services corporation, 26% of the 23.5 million new passenger cars sold last year were either battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric.

And while China’s domestic EV market is growing, the large EV manufacturers have their sights set firmly on the global market, expanding into Europe and North America as electric vehicle adoption accelerates.

Companies such as Geely, BYD and MG are also increasing their vehicle choices, opening up opportunities in the UK.

More vehicles means more scope for dealers, with a growing range of brands and vehicles to work with. But it also means that the training knowledge developed in this country can be exported to China, fulfilling a demand for the very best vocational skills needed to work on and maintain EVs in the Chinese vehicle parc.

The IMI has already worked with bodies in China to deliver EV training. Jin Yuan Shi Qin Electro-Mechanical Equipment Co Ltd Beijing, known as GK, is an approved IMI Centre with the ability to deliver the IMI’s EV qualifications up to Level 3, as well as courses in body and paint repair, following IMI training for GK’s assessors and managers.

As the electrification trend gathers pace, the IMI is using its knowledge and skills to ensure EVs are properly maintained all over the world.