A new report from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) says the trucking industry’s technician shortage is becoming an even greater challenge as fleets adopt a wider mix of diesel, natural gas, battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, according to Trucknews.com.
The report, Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance, examines how fleets, OEMs, dealerOEMs
ships and repair shops will need to adapt to support multiple powertrain technologies simultaneously.
“The greatest challenge facing all new powertrain technologies is the need for well-trained technicians and well-equipped maintenance shops,” said Rick Mihelic, NACFE’s director of emerging technologies. “The best powertrains are useless if the vehicles cannot be maintained in the field.”
The report says maintenance costs now extend well beyond vehicle repairs, encompassing technician training, specialized shop equipment, software licensing, facility upgrades and ongoing certification requirements.
It also concludes that technicians will require new skill sets in areas such as electrical systems, power electronics and software diagnostics, with computers increasingly becoming the primary service tool.
“There is no legacy knowledge that will pour over. That’s the biggest problem,” said Dr. Mark Quarto, CEO of Quarto Tech Services. “The largest technology competency gaps are in the areas of electrical, electronics, software, power electronics, and electric machines.”
See full report here.