With demand for electric vehicles (EV) growing in the UK, the NICEIC & ELECSA looks at the training on offer to help contractors to prosper from this golden opportunity.
There are now approximately 206,000 electric vehicles on the road in the UK (as of April 2019, source: nextgreencar.com) – up from just 3,500 in 2013. That’s a huge increase in just six years and the number is expected to rise further following the announcement of Government plans to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040.
Because of this, the demand for EV charging points is also increasing, creating new opportunities for electrical contractors looking to diversify their business.
Training gains
NICEIC has witnessed a big rise in demand for places on its EV Charging training course in recent months, More than 1,000 contractors have now undertaken the one-day course and around 4% of all our registered businesses say they carry out work in this growing area.
The course teaches attendees how to install EV charging points in compliance with BS 7671, the Electrical Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations and the new IET Code of Practice. It also looks out how the electrical supply can be delivered from both private and public supplies.
In addition to the technical content, delegates learn about the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) – which provides grant funding of up to 75% towards the cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at domestic properties across the UK.
There is also information about the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) – a voucher-based scheme that provides support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge-points, for eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations.
Registered installers
In order for applicants to receive this funding the charging points must be installed by registered installers who are listed on the Government’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) list.
To get on that list firms must be able to provide proof of registration with an official registration body, such as NICEIC, ELECSA or ECA, and that those individuals carrying out the work have received the appropriate training.
Asad Majid, Head of Training at NICEIC and ELECSA, explains: “The majority of people that come through our training centres are those that are looking to diversify their business and get on the OVLEC list of approved installers.
“More councils are now looking to install car charging points because of the grants available, but in order to do so they can only employ registered contractors who’ve had the appropriate training.”
For more details about NICEIC’s Electric Vehicle Charging course, go to: www.niceic.com
