Season 14 Episode 31

Louis van Huyssteen on preparing technicians for hybrid and EV vehicles

20 July 2026 · 17:36 min

Electric vehicles and hybrid cars are transforming South Africa's automotive industry. Louis van Huyssteen explains why the country's skills pipeline must evolve now to prepare technicians, workshops and dealerships for the future.

Louis van Huyssteen, National Training Director at the Retail… Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), joins Business Talk to discuss how South Africa's automotive aftermarket is preparing for the shift to hybrid and electric vehicles. He explains why waiting for mass EV adoption is a mistake, how hybrids are already changing workshop requirements, and why new technical skills are becoming essential across the automotive value chain.

The discussion explores the growing complexity of servicing modern vehicles, the importance of high-voltage safety training, and the commercial risks facing businesses that fail to upskill their workforce. Louis also discusses the RMI's role in developing South Africa's first nationally recognised occupational training programmes for EV and hybrid vehicle technicians, as well as international partnerships that are helping benchmark local training against global best practice. For South Africa's automotive sector, the conversation highlights why accredited training, industry collaboration and continuous skills development will be critical to keeping workshops, dealerships and independent repair businesses competitive in the years ahead.

Whether you're an automotive professional, workshop owner or simply interested in the future of mobility, this episode provides valuable insight into how South Africa is preparing its workforce for the next generation of vehicles.

0:00 Intro
1:05 Why EV training can't wait
3:15 How hybrid vehicles are changing workshops
5:21 The risks of delaying skills development
6:58 Why the RMI is investing in electromobility training
9:04 South Africa's first EV technician training programmes
12:26 Learning from global automotive leaders

X - https://twitter.com/AutomobilSA
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/retailmotorindustry/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@RMI_SA
Website - https://www.rmi.org.za/

#RMI #ElectricVehicles #AutomotiveIndustry #SkillsDevelopment Show more