Resistance on electrical licences for EV maintenance

HVIA has expressed concern with some recommendations in a paper by the Electrical Safety Office of WorkSafe Queensland that will be used to inform a Queensland Government response affecting the maintenance of electric heavy vehicles.

HVIA’s National Manager Policy and Government Relations Greg Forbes says that the discussion paper does not reflect an up-to-date understanding of what has been happening in the electric vehicle space.

“Our industry has a strong commitment to safety, and we are already addressing possible future issues,  so we should stick with the current approach,” Mr Forbes said.

“Vehicle manufacturers and the TAFE sector have been working together to address the safety and training issues that might arise as the number of electric vehicles rise.”

The discussion paper is titled: A response to the Review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002 – key definitions and emerging technologies.

In particular, HVIA does not support Recommendation 8 regarding the extension of the Electric License Framework to the connection and disconnection of the electrical systems within these electric vehicles.

“Introducing licensing under the Electrical Safety Act, which is one of the options contemplated in the discussion paper, would add no value as far as safety is concerned,” Mr Forbes added.

“However, it would add costs to industry as well as exacerbate the shortage of licensed electrical practitioners in the general community.

“The discussion paper even states that there have been no significant issues with the rollout of electric vehicles so far.

“We have been planning ahead and been working on ADRs and developing training courses to address the issues the discussion paper speculates might occur in the future.

“What we have been doing so far is working well; we don’t need any more bureaucracy.”