4 Reasons Electrical Contractors Should Embrace EV Charging

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily making their way onto more and more roads nationwide. As of 2023, the US is the third-largest EV market, and EVs are projected to account for almost 30% of new cars sold in the US by 2032.

Those drivers will need to charge their new cars, and they—and the businesses they frequent—are looking to electrical experts like you to play a crucial role in helping them do just that.

Over the next several years, hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades are needed to support electric vehicle charging, and the EV charger station is just one piece of it!

If you’re still unsure why an electrical contractor should bother with EV charging projects, read on:

1. Business Growth Opportunities

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Transportation announced the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. This program puts aside $5 billion to add 500,000 EV charging stations along US highways by 2030. States are seeking qualified electricians to capture these funds and help build out America’s infrastructure.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that NEVI is only part of the nationwide EV infrastructure effort. Cities and municipalities are beginning to embrace EV charging as well, and by 2030, it’s estimated we’ll need 28 million public chargers to support all the EVs on the road. These projects will need experienced electrical contractors, so it’s in your best interest to add EV charging installation to your tool belt.

2. Your Customer’s Need EV Charging Guidance

From tax incentives to an additional revenue stream, there are multiple benefits for your customer to upgrade their facilities and their company’s fleet with EV chargers. But do your customers fully understand all the current and future benefits?

A customer may ask for a new parking lot but not mention EV charging stations, or they may only inquire about adding one charging station to a 100k+ square foot facility. You know they need to prepare their electrical infrastructure; are you having exploratory conversations with your customers about these future needs?

If not, now is the time. By leveraging your construction experience and being open to learning the particulars of EV charging needs and benefits, you will become indispensable to customers looking to navigate EV charging opportunities now and in the future.

3. New Construction Code Geared Toward EV-Readiness

In January 2020, the International Code Council (ICC) approved building standard changes that effectively would make all new homes built in the US EV-ready. Under these changes, new single-family homes would need at least one panel capable of handling a full-sized EV charging overnight; multi-family buildings will need two, as well as additional retrofit-ready spots for future expansion.

While the ICC guidelines are voluntary, new projects will likely opt to follow them. A 2016 study estimated the cost of new EV-ready installation per parking spot at $920, while a retrofit would incur $3,710. As more people opt for EVs, building to anticipate that power need is the smarter move.

When thinking of commercial properties, many cities’ building codes, including Columbus, Ohio, already require EV-readiness. More states and localities are bound to follow suit as EV adoption increases. From companies looking to attract talent to stores attracting customers to shop while they charge, building owners need electrical contractors’ guidance not just in installation, but in determining the best solution for their specific needs.

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