EV Tech Shortage, Auto Hackathon, JC Penney Is Back In Black

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• EV repair is facing a severe shortage of qualified technicians and repair shops threatening increased repair and warranty costs as many independent garages hesitate to invest in training, citing high training and equipment costs and electrocution risks associated with EVs.
  • Generally speaking, the auto repair industry faces a workforce shortage since the pandemic, with the UK possibly lacking 25,000 EV technicians by 2032 and the US needing around 80,000 electrician jobs annually through 2031 which includes EV repair techs and installers of specialized charging and repair equipment
  • Warranty costs for EVs, like the Tesla Model 3, are already higher than their fossil-fuel counterparts due to the reliance on pricier franchise dealers for repairs.
  • Only 1% of UK automotive technicians are qualified beyond routine EV maintenance, even though EV sales have risen. Training uptake for these qualifications has declined in 2023 compared to 2022.
  • Initiatives like the Siemens Foundation's $30 million program aim to train US technicians for EVs, but many believe the training and repair infrastructure needs more substantial and swift support.
  • Nicholas Wyman, executive director of the U.S. Institute For Workplace Skills and Innovation, said most repairers are on their own.
  • "If you're waiting for the (U.S.) government to take action, you'll be waiting a freaking long time," he said.
    
    
    
• The Zero Day Initiative has announced its inaugural Pwn2Own Automotive hacking contest to be held in Tokyo with over $1 million in cash and prizes, including a Tesla car. 
  • Hackers will compete in four categories: Tesla vehicles, EV chargers, operating systems, and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
  • Highest prize of up to $200,000 for exploits targeting Tesla vehicles' autopilot, gateway, or VCSEC; a Tesla car as an additional prize.

• JCPenney has revealed plans to invest $1 billion through 2025 to enhance customer experience and improve operating efficiencies as CEO Mark Rosen says the retailer is on “strong financial footing and increasing relevance with core customers”
  • 650 JCPenney stores will be refreshed with brighter lighting, fresh paint, centralized checkout stations, mobile devices for associates, and improved POS sale systems.
  • Online investments will focus on improving the website and mobile app's search functionality, product details, reviews, and personalized recommendations. Upgrades in merchandising tools and supply chain operations are expected to speed up order fulfillment and delivery.
  • Rather than trying to attract new customers, the brand aims t

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