Abstract:
The realities of climate change and its consequences have played a significant role in
spurring on the development of technologies designed to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions such as electric vehicles. Nations in the European Union and China have
invested greatly into the development of electric vehicle technologies and have heavily
subsidised programs aimed at converting existing diesel engine bus fleets with battery
powered buses. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles requires that a large portion
of the workforce are upskilled and retrained, with demand growing for electricians, skilled
technicians, and mechanics. This essay aimed to highlight and address the need for
employees of bus companies in South Africa to be upskilled and reskilled to operate and
maintain electric busses by providing a framework for staff retraining. Structural issues
have acted as a barrier to widespread electric vehicle adoption within South Africa and
Africa broadly. Perennially inconsistent electricity supplies, coupled with a lack of
prerequisite skills in the workforce, and half-hearted or non-existent government
investment in electric vehicle infrastructure makes rapid adoption infeasible. Despite these
issues, many stakeholders within the public transportation sector are showing greater
interest in acquiring electric vehicles. To ensure a smooth transition from diesel engine to
battery powered vehicle fleets, operators should gradually upskill and reskill new
employees using external expert advisors. New employees who complete their training
should then be contractually obligated to gradually provide training to pre-existing
employees, thus developing skills internally within the organisation and decreasing the
overall cost of training.
