Installing electric vehicle charge points: a guide for electricians

  Posted by: electime      6th June 2023

By Matthew Gibbons, managing director of Plug&Drive, a UK manufacturer and installer of electric vehicle charge points.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are rising in popularity, with over 760,000 in the UK alone. As of January 2023, plug-in hybrids and pure EVs make up nearly half (43 per cent) of the entire market share. As the demand for EVs increases, so does the demand for EV charging infrastructure.

Unfortunately, the speed at which the country is installing charge points is drastically lacking behind the growth of EVs. With the petrol/diesel vehicle production ban in 2030 looming over our heads, the government released a target number of 300,000 charge points to be installed by this date. As of January 1st 2023, there were only 37,055 public charge points across the country, a mere 12.4 per cent of the target.

Electricians across the UK are able to help work towards this goal and support the mass uptake of EVs, but many don’t know how to begin. Understanding how you can start installing EV charge points can not only assist the country’s net zero efforts but also open up new work opportunities for EV-related jobs.

What qualifications do you need?

It may surprise you that you do not require a specialist course or qualification in order to install EV charge points. In fact, all you really need is to be a qualified and competent electrician, so you will need to have completed an NVQ or an apprenticeship, and be registered with a Government Approved Part P Scheme Provider, such as NICEIC. Installing an EV charge point is very similar to other electrical installations, so a lot of the skills are transferrable. There are a variety of specialised courses and qualifications, and although they aren’t legally required, you may wish to complete one to gain confidence and competency within this sector.

What does an EV charge point installation course entail?

There are a range of courses on the market at varying price points and lengths. Some can be as short as 1-2 days, and some will provide a qualification upon completion. Not only will this make you more desirable to potential customers, but the more competent you are with installations, the less likely you are to make mistakes or encounter unmanageable problems with your work.

Most courses will cover the IET Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, the types of charge points on the market, key design considerations and the electrical requirements for installation. For electricians who are still in training or education, completing an EV charge point installation course can be a great way to understand this niche ahead of time, leaving you ready to complete installations once you are fully qualified.

What equipment do you need?

Since you need to be a qualified electrician to install EV charge points, you will likely have most of the required tools and equipment. The only additional tool that you will need to purchase is an EV tester. These retail for around £400-£500. Don’t let this initial price put you off, as a singular charge point installation can cost the client upwards of £500.

An EV tester identifies any faults in the charging state output and is a worthy investment if you plan to branch out into EV-related jobs. It’s recommended that EV charge points are serviced every 12 months, so owning an EV tester can open up smaller job opportunities for businesses and residential properties that have charge points installed too.

Utilising government grants

If you’re a qualified electrician, you can apply to become an OZEV-approved installer, entitling you to install residential and commercial charge points with funding for up to 75 per cent of the installation costs. Many individuals and businesses looking to install EV charge points search for an OZEV-approved installer, so this is a great way to secure a larger quantity of EV-related jobs.

Futureproof your work

With the upcoming petrol and diesel production ban in 2030, EVs are undoubtedly the future. As more people make the switch to electric and businesses continue to support EV charging infrastructure, the demand for charge point installers will continue to rise.

There were already legislation changes back in June 2022 that are forcing wider adoption of EV charging infrastructure. New build residential and commercial properties with dedicated parking must have EV charge points installed at the point of construction. The same applies to any buildings undergoing major renovations. Another upcoming motivator, due to take effect in Q3 2023, is the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone to cover all London boroughs. It’s likely that drivers who frequent these areas will be more motivated to make the switch to EVs in order to save costs when travelling in and around London.

Getting ahead of the curve and beginning to complete charge point installations now will put any electrician in good stead for the future of EV uptake, whilst helping to support the country’s net zero and sustainability goals.