EV (Electric Vehicle) Technician
Specialises in diagnosing, repairing and maintaining electric and hybrid vehicles. Works with high-voltage battery systems, electric motors, charging systems and vehicle software. A rapidly growing niche as EV adoption increases in Kenya, with companies like BasiGo (electric buses) and Roam (electric vehicles) leading the transition.
- AI exposure
- 14 of 100, low exposure
- Hiring trend
- Rising
- Hiring rate
- 45%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- High
- Time to senior
- 5 years
- Adaptation level
- Moderate
A day in the role
Diagnoses a battery cell imbalance in an electric bus, replaces a faulty inverter, installs a charging station at a commercial premises, and performs a software update on an EV control unit.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 50,000-80,000
- Mid
- KES 90,000-150,000
- Senior
- KES 180,000-300,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 6% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside trades & vocational the mean is 11, across 66 careers.
What the rating is made of
Share of recorded tasks- Machine does it
- 5%Software can already complete this work end to end.
- Machine assists
- 20%A person still decides, but the drafting is done for them.
- Person does it
- 75%Judgement, relationships and accountability that do not transfer.
Named task by task
Already automated
- Battery health diagnostics and cell balancing analysis
- Generating charging system diagnostic reports
- Software update management for EV control units
- Predictive maintenance alerts from telematics data
Still human
- Diagnosing high-voltage system faults using specialised EV diagnostic tools
- Replacing and balancing battery packs (lithium-ion)
- Repairing electric motors, inverters and power electronics
- Installing and maintaining EV charging infrastructure (AC and DC fast charging)
- Ensuring HV safety protocols and using insulated tools
- Conducting high-voltage isolation tests and safety inspections
- Programming and calibrating EV control units and BMS
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
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How people get in
Auto mechanics + NITA/WTS EV training
3-4 yearsLow cost
NITA auto mechanics certificate plus 3-week WTS Foundation EV upskiller program (NITA Nairobi, GIZ-supported)
Electrical engineering diploma + EV
3 yearsMedium cost
Diploma in electrical/mechatronic engineering plus EV-specific training from BasiGo or Roam
WTS Foundation full program
6 monthsLow cost
WTS Foundation E-Mobility Course: 6-month full program covering EV technology, battery management, charging infrastructure, diagnostics and maintenance
Who hires
- BasiGo Kenya
- Roam (formerly Opibus)
- Toyota Kenya (Hybrid)
- EV charging companies
- Self-employment
Common misconceptions
EVs dont need maintenance
EVs need tyre, brake, battery, cooling and software maintenance — different from ICE vehicles but not maintenance-free.
Its too dangerous
Proper HV safety training makes EV work safe — the key is following protocols and using insulated tools.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Supply and demand
- Demand
- 45
- Supply pressure
- 5
- Balance
- High demand
What to learn
- High-voltage safety
- Battery management systems
- EV diagnostics
Kenyan market notes
Kenya EV sector projected to generate ~100,000 jobs by 2030. NITA Kenya in partnership with WTS Foundation and GIZ Kenya offers 3-week Assistant EV Technician upskiller program (Cohort 1: Jan-Feb 2026). Charging and assembly expected to create most jobs along the EV value chain. Kenya could attract up to $790M investment by 2030. E2Ws (electric 2-wheelers) best positioned for Kenya market. Significant skills gap in battery design, battery manufacturing and ULAB management. BasiGo operates electric buses in Nairobi; Roam manufactures electric motorcycles and vehicles. Government promoting EV adoption through tax exemptions.
Further reading
This role is rated 14 out of 100 today. Save it and the app keeps that number, then tells you by how much it has moved when the record is next reviewed.