Who does EV training in New Zealand?
EV training in New Zealand is offered by MITO and the polytechnics (formal qualifications), by parts suppliers (short introductory courses), and by practical training providers such as Aquipe (one-day hands-on high-voltage safety courses). The right choice depends on whether your technicians need a full qualification or need to work safely around EVs and hybrids in your workshop now.
Hybrids and EVs are already coming through New Zealand workshops every day, and the number keeps growing. Every technician who opens a bonnet on one needs to know what is high voltage, how to keep themselves safe, and when to stop. This guide explains the main training routes so you can pick the one that fits your team.
The three main routes for EV training in NZ
Most NZ workshops choose between a formal qualification, a short introductory course, or a practical one-day safety course. Many use more than one.
Route | Who runs it | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Formal qualification | MITO, with polytechnic block courses | NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5), about 11 months of on-job learning and eLearning | Qualified technicians who will diagnose and repair HV systems |
Introductory course | Parts suppliers, such as GPC with Unitec | Classroom course at a training centre | Anyone new to EVs who wants the basics |
Practical HV safety course | Training providers such as Aquipe | One full day, hands-on, at a regional venue or on-site at your workshop | Whole workshop teams who need to work safely around EVs and hybrids now |
Formal qualifications
MITO's Level 5 programme is the formal route. It is for employed technicians who already hold a Level 4 automotive qualification. It takes around 11 months and covers complex HV fault finding and workshop safety leadership.
Introductory courses
Some parts suppliers run short EV fundamentals courses at their training centres, often with a polytechnic partner. They cover EV and hybrid types, safety protocols and servicing opportunities, mostly in a classroom.
Practical one-day HV safety courses
A one-day course gets your whole team working safely around high-voltage vehicles quickly. It suits technicians, apprentices and service staff who handle EVs and hybrids every week but don't need a full qualification yet.
Aquipe EV & HV Safety Training
Aquipe's EV & HV Safety Training is a full-day, hands-on course for NZ automotive technicians. It runs in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from February to November, or on-site at your own workshop on your own vehicles.
What technicians learn
High-voltage hazards and workshop risk control
Isolation, lockout and de-energising procedures
PPE, insulated tools and test equipment
Working safely around damaged EVs and hybrids
Course details
Length | One full day |
Price | $595 + GST per person |
Public course cities | Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch (February to November) |
On-site option | Any course can run at your workshop, quoted per group |
Class size | Capped at 16 so everyone gets hands-on time |
Trainer | Hamish, with 35+ years in the automotive industry and experience in the roll-out of EV technician training in NZ |
Blackfern members | Can use rewards points to pay for courses |
This is a safety course. It does not authorise HV repair work; for that, technicians should move on to a formal qualification.
How to choose the right EV training for your workshop
Start with what your team actually does with EVs and hybrids today.
Servicing, tyres, brakes and inspections on EVs and hybrids: everyone who touches these vehicles needs practical HV safety training. A one-day course covers the whole team quickly.
Diagnosing and repairing HV systems: your lead technicians need a formal qualification such as MITO's Level 5, on top of safety training.
Just starting to see EVs come in: an introductory or one-day safety course is the quickest way to get the basics in place.
Several staff to train: on-site training at your own workshop saves travel and time off the floor, and your team learns on the vehicles and equipment they use every day.
EV training FAQs
Do I need a qualification to work on EVs in New Zealand?
There is no specific licence for working on EVs in NZ at the time of writing. However, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, workshops must make sure their people have the training to do their work safely. The MTA has also published EV health and safety procedures for workshops. Practical HV safety training is the usual starting point.
How long does EV safety training take?
A practical HV safety course takes one full day. A formal qualification such as MITO's Level 5 takes around 11 months alongside work.
Does EV training cover hybrids too?
Yes. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full EVs all carry high-voltage systems, so the same safety principles apply. Aquipe's course covers both EVs and hybrids.
Can EV training be done at my workshop?
Yes. Aquipe runs any course on-site at your premises, using your own vehicles and equipment. On-site training is quoted per group.
How much does EV training cost in NZ?
Aquipe's one-day EV & HV Safety Training is $595 + GST per person at a public course. MITO lists its Level 5 programme fee as $1,118 + GST.
Where are Aquipe's EV courses held?
Public courses run in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from February to November. On-site training is available nationwide.
Book EV training for your team
See the 2027 dates for EV & HV Safety Training on the Aquipe courses page, or ask about bringing the course to your workshop. Email training@aquipe.nz and we'll get back to you with dates and a quote.
Sources: MITO: Electric Vehicle (Level 5), checked 7 October 2026; Motor Equipment News: GPC EV Training, April 2025.
