Over the last decade, the electric vehicle industry has grown significantly. However, growth has been rapid in recent years, with growth increasing by 43% between 2019 and 2020. While developed countries have been involved in the production and sale of electric vehicles for many years, developing countries are also showing strong interest. Europe has seen the greatest annual increase, with the figure now standing at 3.2 million.
While the car market shrank by 22% in 2020, new electric vehicle registrations on the continent more than doubled to 1.4 million. Germany registered 395,000 new electric vehicles, while France registered 185,000 and the United Kingdom registered 176,000. Despite the fact that 295,000 new electric cars were purchased, the US car market fell by 23% in 2020. In China, 1.2 million new electric car registrations were completed by 2020. Meanwhile, the Chinese government expects new electric vehicle sales to increase by 20% by 2025. China also has approximately 575,000 electric buses and over 28,000 electric trucks.
Here's a fascinating fact. Car sales fell during the pandemic, with the exception of electric vehicle sales, which increased. Electric vehicle sales nearly doubled to 10.4% in the third quarter of 2021, up from 5.5%. Furthermore, by 2020, more than 10 million electric vehicles would be on the road worldwide.
The industry employs millions of people worldwide in various aspects of production as well as post-sales services. Given these trends, this figure is only expected to rise, making it prudent to investigate careers in the electric vehicle industry and explore job opportunities.
A look at the careers in the EV industry
People with various educational backgrounds are employed in the electric vehicle industry. The workforce required at various stages of electric vehicle production and post-production must have different skill sets and training. Employees in the industry frequently work on scientific research, development, or commercial aspects. Electronics, computers, and mechanics are some of the specializations required by those working in the electric vehicle industry.
Engineers and technicians
While researchers and developers labor to advance the technology behind electric vehicles, there are also those who manufacture the vehicles and those who do maintenance and post-production servicing. Engineers do, however, carry out a number of crucial tasks. The electric vehicle business requires engineers with a variety of specializations to perform a variety of tasks.
Chemical and electrical engineers
To build and enhance equipment, chemical engineers are required. Additionally, they produce the chemicals and goods needed to make the batteries that power electric automobiles. Electrical engineers work on a variety of projects related to the creation of electrical components, including their design and development. They work with the electrical circuitry that performs battery charging and related tasks.
Electronics and Industrial Engineers
Electronic engineers specialize in the creation of electronic components such heating and air conditioning systems, vehicle lighting, etc. as well as control systems. They are not as concerned with electric circuits as electrical engineers are. Industrial engineers, on the other hand, work with equipment and materials. In order to reduce waste and increase efficiency, they also concentrate on improving ways for managing personnel.
Materials and mechanical engineers
Engineers that specialize in materials create and evaluate the materials that go into electric car construction. Vehicle design must be improved to make them more economical and energy-efficient. This requires material innovation. On the other hand, mechanical engineers are involved in the development of the machineries, machines, and other mechanical components of electric cars. They might also help with the automobiles' repairs.
Technicians, software developers and industrial designers
Engineers are assisted by technicians who work on various parts of research, production, and maintenance. They could take part in developing or assembling tools, running experiments, gathering data, recording outcomes, etc. Meanwhile, software designers and developers design and produce the software utilized in electric vehicles. As today's hybrid vehicles are all computer-run, they utilize approaches from computer science and mathematics to create and innovate software programs and systems.
In order to ensure smooth operation, electric cars in particular are frequently computer-controlled and use another hybrid technology. Commercial and industrial designers work with the vehicles' appearance, build, and safety. The needs of the consumer and energy efficiency are taken into consideration when developing. Throughout the many stages of production and maintenance, designers collaborate with engineers. Typically, they have degrees in design or closely related subjects.
