Watt’s up with EVs?

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

Ever wondered what it’s like to work as an EV technician?

In this Q&A, Atsu Kpodo, a skilled EV technician from Ghana, tells us about his journey, daily work, and what it takes to power the future of green transport.

Q: What’s a regular day like for you as an EV technician?
A: Working on EVs is very different from working on regular petrol or diesel cars. EVs are more high-tech. My day usually involves running diagnostics using special tools to check things like battery health, motor performance, voltage, torque and other key data. Many people think EVs need less maintenance, but that is not true. They actually need more detailed attention. You cannot just listen to the engine like in the old days. Now, you have to understand sensors, software, and electrical systems.

Q: How did you get into this field?
A: I started as a regular automotive technician at Renault and Kia. In 2022, I got an opportunity to work for an EV startup. At the time, EVs were not very common in Africa. Leaving a well-known dealership like Kia was a tough decision, but I believed in the future of electric vehicles. Looking back, it was a great move and has opened many doors for me.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing EV careers in Africa?
A: The shortage of trained EV technicians. Many companies want people who already have EV skills, but they are not ready to train new workers. When I joined the startup, I was trained from scratch, but that does not happen often anymore. For the green economy to grow, we need more investment in training from companies, governments, and non-profit organisations.

Q: Are universities or colleges offering EV training?
A: Not many. In Ghana, I know of only two universities that have started offering EV-related courses. But they are still teaching the basics, while the industry is already moving ahead with advanced technology like autonomous driving and artificial intelligence. We need more training centres across Africa that can prepare at least 100 EV technicians every year in each country. That is how we can keep up with global progress.

Q: What are the most common issues you fix?
A: Most of the time, I work on battery problems. Many EVs that come to Africa are used and imported from China. These cars were fast-charged regularly, which makes the battery weaker over time. Also, they spend months on ships before arriving, so by the time they get here, the batteries often need serious repair or replacement.

Q: How often should someone get their EV serviced?
A: It is best to follow the manufacturer’s service schedule. Usually, the first service is at 3,500 kilometres, and then every 20,000 kilometres after that. Even if the car feels fine, I always recommend getting at least one full checkup every year. Preventive maintenance is important with EVs to avoid future problems.