July 8, 2025
Electric Vehicle Charger Installation: A Guide for Electrical Contractors Entering the Market
5 Min. Read
Close to one in 13 new cars sold in the U.S. is an electric vehicle (EV). This number could increase as experts anticipate 30 to 42 million EVs on the roads by 2030.
Behind these numbers, several factors are driving EV adoption, such as the increased availability of charging, OEMs producing more performing EVs with increased range, growing consumer confidence, and several states adopting mandates to phase out ICE vehicle sales.
Consumers aren’t the only ones going electric. Public and private fleets are approaching electrification as a path toward improved operational efficiency and lower costs. Fourteen percent of fleet operators have at least one EV, but the majority plan on adopting EVs in the next five years, suggesting a gradual transition to an electric model.
EV adoption creates opportunities for electrical contractors in the home, commercial, public, and multifamily markets, where code-compliant electric vehicle charger installation is increasingly in demand. The country could need as many as 35 million charging points by 2030, representing a sizeable market.
How to Install EV Charging Stations
Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of EV charging installation.
What types of EV chargers can electricians install?
There are three levels of EV charging, two of which require installation services from an electrical contractor.
Level 1, the slowest charging method, uses a charging cable plugged into a 120V outlet. In the residential market, most EV owners opt for Level 2 charging due to the increased speeds. This method requires a dedicated 240V circuit and either a hardwired station or a NEMA 14-50 outlet for portable EVSEs.
The commercial market is different since it encompasses Level 2 installations and DC Fast chargers, which pull 400 to 1,000 Volts to charge EVs in less than an hour and require a much more advanced electrical infrastructure.
What are the key steps to installing a Level 2 EV charger?
You’ll have to start by evaluating the installation site and finding an NEC-compliant spot for the charger. Next, you should calculate the load to understand how the Level 2 charging station will impact the current electrical infrastructure (and implement upgrades if needed).
After obtaining the necessary permits, you’ll start the installation process. This includes running conduit from the panel to the charger or outlet, installing the breaker and emergency disconnect for stations over 60 amps, mounting the station, and configuring its Wi-Fi connection.
Lastly, you should inspect and test the station according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What certifications or licenses are needed to install EV chargers?
Some states have licensing requirements for EV installers. For instance, California requires you to hold a C-10 Electrical Contractor license, while New York asks for a Master Electrician license.
Getting your Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) certification is also a good idea. It’s not an official requirement, but this training program is a great way to learn about safe and compliant EV charging installation.
In addition to maintaining the necessary certifications, you should keep up with the latest version of the NEC and local building codes, which increasingly include provisions for EV chargers.
What are common installation challenges, and how are they solved?
When installing EV chargers, you’ll likely encounter electrical panels with limited capacity since most homes run on 100-amp panels. Upgrading to a 200-amp panel or adding a sub-panel are possible solutions.
Another common challenge is the distance between the panel and the charging point, which you can solve by increasing the wire gauge to prevent voltage drops.
Installing EVSEs in spots with a good Wi-Fi signal prevents connectivity issues, but you can also recommend a Wi-Fi extender.
Lastly, it is crucial to keep up with the latest version of the NEC and local building codes. Communicate with your local building department to better understand these requirements.
How do electricians get EV charger installation jobs?
The demand for electric vehicle charger installation exists, but finding these jobs can be challenging if you’re new to the market.
Developing your online presence helps, as does partnering with dealerships, EVSE brands, and networks like Qmerit. Remember that visibility, a reputation for quality, and certifications like the EVITP make a difference.
Are there incentives for my customers to install EV charging?
Yes, your customers can save big by taking advantage of EV charging rebates and tax credits. At the federal level, they can claim a 30% nonrefundable credit on the electric car charger installation cost.
Some states offer additional incentives, such as New Mexico, which offers a $400 residential credit on Level 2 home EV chargers and a commercial credit of up to $25,000 for DC Fast charging.
Across the country, thousands of utilities offer rebates and even free installations, as do OEMs. Help your customers stack up incentives by familiarizing yourself with what’s available in your area.
Why Qmerit? Training and Opportunities for EV Installers
Qmerit is the leading network for EV charger installation across North America. Our structured onboarding and EVSE-specific training will help you get your EVITP certification quickly so you can start installing EV chargers.
You’ll also get access to resources about incentives via our convenient digital platform so you can help your customers maximize their savings.
Our goal is to help you grow your business by delivering the support you need and steady job leads for residential, multifamily, and commercial EV charger installation via OEM partnerships, fleets, utilities, and property owners.
Joining Qmerit makes electrification jobs more accessible, and you’ll get started with all the resources you need to succeed in this new and exciting market.
More About Qmerit
Ready to grow your business and access new revenue streams?
As the largest network of certified EV charger installers in North America, Qmerit is North America’s electrification leader and is recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike.
Our network of certified electricians has installed more EV chargers and other electrification technologies in the last decade than anyone else in the industry; more than 770,000 EV charging station installations, 37,000 battery storage installations, 81,000 solar panel system integrations, and 86,000 electric panel upgrades in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada! We have the knowledge and experience to help electrical contractors grow their electrification business.
By joining our unique Certified Solutions Partner program, you can access comprehensive training on installing and servicing energy transition technologies, including the prestigious Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) and direct training and installation opportunities with our leading auto manufacturer and EVSE partners.
But we don’t just help you train your existing electricians—Qmerit is here to help you build your business every step of the way. Partner with Qmerit today to learn more about recruiting new electricians for your electrical contracting company and building your business for tomorrow!
