Author: Brett Knox
November 26, 2024 - 3 MIN. READ
Electric vehicle adoption is up. Between saving on gas and reducing harmful emissions, consumers and businesses are finding many benefits to switching. Plus, many federal and state incentives are making EVs more accessible than ever.
For electrical contractors, EV adoption on a large scale creates a growing demand for EV charger installation services. Could it be the key to achieving long-term sustainable growth for your business?
North America is entering a transformative phase. With 12 states planning to phase out new gas-powered car sales in the near future and billions invested in developing a nationwide EV charging network, the number of EVs on the road could reach 10.4 million by 2025.
All these EVs need to charge. There are currently over 69,000 charging points publicly available today, but this number will need to increase to 35 million by 2030 to accommodate growing EV adoption.
The electrification of transportation is rapidly creating a new market with incredibly diverse opportunities for electrical contractors with the right skills for EV charger installation:
As an electrical contractor, your knowledge and experience put you in a unique position to go after electrification jobs. However, you’ll have to upskill before you can offer your services as an EV charger installer.
Your first step should be to obtain the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program certification. You’ll learn everything there is to know about installing EV charging stations safely and properly, and can start working on residential projects.
As you gain more experience, you can benefit from seeking additional certifications in areas like project management or electrical safety. This kind of background will make you a good fit for larger electrification jobs, such as commercial EV charging hubs or installing DC Fast charging stations.
Learning more about building electrification, integrating renewables into EV charging systems, or deploying automation solutions can also pay off since commercial EV charging is often part of a broader electrification strategy.
Beyond upskilling, you’ll also have to upgrade a few of your business processes. For instance, you’ll have to start marketing your services to current and prospective EV owners, plan for larger projects with potential electrical upgrades to allow for EV charging, and expand your buying process to include EV charging equipment.
You’ll also have to rethink how you assess electrical jobs. Most electrification projects are more involved than the typical electrical repair or upgrade and can require electrical infrastructure upgrades. Plan a thorough assessment of the home or commercial property where you’ll be installing an EV charging station. Offering this initial assessment for free can be a powerful differentiator for your business.
Lastly, it’s important to assess interest for EV charging in your area. Once you know more about electrification at the local level, you can plan your approach strategically.
Partnering with local businesses with an interest in electrification, offering an EV charging station maintenance plan, or working with local utilities can be interesting options for going after more electrification jobs. Your local government can also be a great partner if they’re working on developing access to public EV charging in your area.
As an EV charger installer, you’ll need a solid buying process so you can offer your customers a wide range of EV charging options. A good buying process will also ensure competitive prices for EV chargers and other electrical components, giving you an advantage over other local installers.
The key to making competitive bids and enhancing the profitability of your EV charging installation business is to join a group buying program like Raiven.
As an electrical contractor, you can win more bids and increase profits by paying less for electrical materials and equipment as well as business essentials.
Unlock unparalleled savings and streamline your procurement process with Raiven. We allow contractors to consolidate their purchasing power to negotiate exclusive discounts, favorable service terms, and priority access to supply chains. Say goodbye to the hassle of negotiating with multiple suppliers and enjoy significant cost savings on wire, panels, conduit, EV charging stations, lighting, load shedding, tools, and more.
Simplify your electrification projects with the Raiven Electrification Store, offering a curated selection of EV chargers, accessories, load management solutions, battery storage, and energy management devices—all tailored to meet the needs of professionals, including Tesla Powerwall installations. Enjoy highly discounted pricing on top brands like ChargePoint, DCC, Emporia, Leviton, and more. Access is easy—just visit the Raiven Marketplace, click the Electrification Store tile, and start saving!
Gain access to pre-negotiated discounts of 7%-30% from industry-leading manufacturers and distributors, including Alpscontrols, ChargePoint, EnelX/Juicebox, Ferguson, Grainger, Graybar, HD Supply, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Sunbelt Rentals, Schneider Electric, and more!
Raiven is the go-to partner for electrical contractors, providing unbeatable prices on equipment, parts, and maintenance supplies. Our intuitive purchasing platform streamlines procurement for maximum efficiency. Other key benefits:
Raiven is your one-stop shop to save time and money. Visit Raiven to learn more about saving and growing your profit margins with our buying program for contractors.
Summary: There are more electric vehicles than ever on the roads. For electrical contractors, EV adoption represents an opportunity. Here’s what you need to know about the electrification of transportation and how you can start installing EV charging stations.