CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will roll out a skill development programme to train roadside two-wheeler and four-wheeler mechanics in servicing electric vehicles (EVs), as part of the 2026-27 Revised Budget.
The move is aimed at preparing the traditional automobile workforce for the shift towards electric mobility.
The scheme, announced by the state government in the Revised Budget, seeks to reduce dependence on petroleum-based vehicles and curb environmental pollution by equipping mechanics with the skills required to repair and maintain EVs and their battery systems. An allocation of Rs 3 crore has been made for the scheme during the current financial year.
Under the programme, 22,500 people will be trained over the next five years, including 12,500 mechanics currently engaged in servicing petrol and diesel vehicles.
Labour Department sources said the proposal was initiated after a section of conventional two-wheeler and four-wheeler mechanics urged Minister for Labour and Skill Development J Mohamed Farvas, during a pre-budget meeting, to provide specialised training in EV servicing. Following their request, the department decided to prepare a dedicated skill enhancement programme to help them adapt to the changing needs of the automobile sector.
Officials said most roadside mechanics have extensive experience in repairing conventional vehicles but lack formal training in handling electric vehicles, which involve battery packs, electric motors, power electronics and high-voltage systems. Without these skills, many small workshops are unable to undertake EV repair and maintenance.
The proposed training will provide practical lessons on EV servicing, battery maintenance, fault diagnosis, safety protocols and the use of modern diagnostic equipment. Special emphasis will be given to the safe handling of high-voltage electrical systems.
The department is currently selecting a professional training partner to design and conduct the courses. Detailed guidelines on the number of beneficiaries, course duration and training centres will be issued before the programme is launched.
Officials said the initiative is part of the department's broader effort to upgrade workers' skills in line with emerging industrial requirements and ensure that traditional mechanics remain employable as electric vehicles become more common.
The initiative is also in line with the ruling TVK's Assembly election manifesto, which promised to provide Rs 10,000 as financial assistance to help traditional mechanics undergo training and become EV mechanics. The proposed training programme is expected to complement that commitment by equipping conventional mechanics with industry-relevant skills for the state's growing electric mobility ecosystem.
