Here’s an interesting fact. Car sales dropped during the pandemic, except for the sale of electric vehicles, which saw an increase. In 2021’s third quarter, electric vehicle sales nearly doubled to 10.4% from 5.5%. Moreover, in 2020 more than 10 million electric cars were on the road worldwide.
The industry employs millions of people in different aspects of its production as well as post-sales services the world over. Given these trends, this number is only expected to increase, hence it is prudent to look into the careers in the electric vehicles industry and explore the job opportunities.
The electric vehicles industry has registered significant growth in the last decade. However, the increase has been rapid in the last few years with growth jumping by 43% from 2019 to 2020. While the developed countries are involved in the production and sales of electric vehicles for years, countries in the developing world are also showing great interest. Europe has shown the largest annual increase as the number now stands at 3.2 million.
In 2020, while the car market shrank by 22%, new electric car registrations doubled to 1.4 million in the continent. Germany registered 395,000 new electric cars, France 185,000, and the United Kingdom 176, 000. In US car market plummeted by 23% in 2020, though 295,000 new electric cars were bought. In China 1.2 million registrations of new electric cars were completed in 2020. Meanwhile, the Chinese government hopes to increase new electric car sales by 20% by 2025. Moreover, China has about 575,000 electric buses and over 28,000 electric trucks.
The electric vehicle industry employs people from diverse educational backgrounds. The workforce required in different stages of electric vehicle production and post-production phases is required to possess different skill sets and training. The employees in the industry often work on scientific research, development, or commercial aspects. Electronics, Computers, mechanics are some of the specializations that those who work in the electric vehicle industry require.
While scientists are engaged in the research and development of electric vehicle technology, there are the manufacturing workers who build the vehicles while the maintenance technicians who repair the vehicles and work on the post-production servicing. However, engineers perform several important functions. Engineers with different specialization are needed to undertake different functions in the electric vehicles industry.
Chemical engineers are needed in designing and improvement of equipment. They are also involved in manufacturing chemicals and products required in the production of batteries on which electric vehicles run. Electrical engineers are engaged in various aspects of the design, development, and manufacture of electrical components. They work on electrical circuitry that charges the battery and related functions.
Electronic engineers specialise in the control systems and manufacture of electronic components like heating and air-conditioning systems, vehicle lighting, etc. Unlike electrical engineers, they do not focus on electric circuits. Industrial engineers meanwhile, deal with materials, and machines. They also work on managing people and improvement of techniques to minimise wastage and improve efficiency.
Material engineers work on the development and testing of materials used in electric vehicles. Material innovation is required to improve the design of vehicles to make them cost-effective as well as energy-efficient. Mechanical engineers on the other hand work on engines, machines, and other mechanical devices in electric vehicles. They may also be involved with the repair of the vehicles.
Technicians assist engineers, by working on different aspects of research, production, and maintenance. They may be involved in building or setting up equipment, conducting experiments, collecting data, recording results, etc. Software developers meanwhile design and create software that is used in electric vehicles. They use techniques from computer science and mathematics to develop and innovate software applications and systems as all hybrid vehicles are nowadays computers run.
Electric cars, especially are usually computer-controlled and another hybrid technology is utilized to make the car run smoothly. Commercial and industrial designers deal with styling, quality, and safety of the vehicles. While designing, consumers’ requirements as well as energy efficiency are kept in mind. The designers work with engineers during the various stages of production and maintenance. Their education is usually in design and related fields.
Electric vehicles are believed to be a significant part of the fourth industrial revolution. Some would argue that the development and growth of this industry could also make many lose jobs. However, working in the industry is not would be a good career move – its growth would generate immense opportunities in the future. While the developed countries as well as China have witnessed an increasing demand of electric vehicles, developing countries like India are expected to emerge as the new markets.
The problem of pollution is making Indian people look for ways to reduce carbon emissions from cars. Electric vehicles can be the answer to the pollution worries. Meanwhile, many companies are also investing heavily in this industry. A significant part of the investment is expected to be spent on developing resources, like infrastructure and development of skills and promotion of education in the field– a fact that should be duly noted while understanding the jobs of tomorrow.
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