of becoming an EV installer and how training in this upcoming field could have a positive impact on the future and your business. Plug-in electric vehicles (also known as EVs) are practical and effective; not to mention that they can significantly reduce emissions and even save consumers money. It’s no wonder that more of our members are wanting to expand their knowledge in the field and become EV Installers.Over the past few months we have seen significant changes in the EV market. This comes after future restrictions on the sale of fossil-fuelled vehicles was announced by the Government, stating that the sale of new diesel and petrol cars will be banned in the UK from 2040, along with the release of new policies regarding urban air quality.
The introduction of the changes came from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), who are the team working across the Government to support the early market adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles, which generally means electric cars and the chargers to assist them. OLEV are also the office responsible for introducing the Electrical Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS); this scheme provides a contribution of grant funding of up to 75% (up to a maximum of £500 inc. VAT) towards the cost of one EV charging point and its installation located at domestic properties. Further changes were announced in December 2018, which stated that all Government funded home charging points must use smart technology and they released a consultation on the 15th July 2019 on the proposals for the regulations for this. The proposals will mean that the specified charge points will have to be remotely accessible and capable of receiving, interpreting and reacting to a signal. The consultation ends on the 7th October 2019 and you can find it here https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/electric-vehicle-smart-charging.
It is now known that Smart Charging can also reduce high peaks of electricity demands; this minimises the cost of electric vehicles to the electricity system, and therefore keeps the cost down for consumers by encouraging off-peak charging. Alongside this, the Government has also announced that they will continue to provide grants to install charge points at home and in the workplace at their current level (up to the value of £500 inc. VAT). This will not only make charging easier for consumers, but it will also ensure that plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles can be used to their full potential.
The Government announced their dedication to investing £1.5 billion in ultra-low emission vehicles by the year 2020 and have since launched the Road to Zero strategy, which we see as a major push from central Government. At the beginning of May this year, the Government gave the stamp of approval to car dealerships that were experienced and competent in selling and servicing electric vehicles, in the hope that this will increase the confidence of motorists exploring the avenue of purchasing an electric vehicle. The aim is to build a highly recognisable and trustworthy brand for all customers to further encourage the sale and use of electric vehicles.
All of the above has increased the demand for Premier Training Academy’s Level 3 Award in Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation Course (City & Guilds 2919-01). Premier Training Academy is the outbound training arm of the NAPIT Group; we created the new brand to help customers distinguish between NAPIT’s Training Centres and the services we offer at each. The EV training course is accredited by City & Guilds and is specifically designed for electricians who are interested in diversifying their skills and expanding their knowledge in this particular technology. Installers who complete the course successfully will have the ability take on new potential clients who have the demand for EV charge points for their electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as being able to apply for inclusion on the OLEV register. The OLEV register is the official record of qualified and competent installers for electrical vehicle charging equipment. The installation of electric vehicle charging points is classed as notifiable work under Approved Document P of the Building Regulations. Installers will need authorisation from the charging point manufacturer to show that they are competent to install the charge point, and the only charging points that will qualify for grant funding are those approved by OLEV.
If you are an electrician with at least two years domestic and commercial instillation experience and you would like to gain a formal qualification to demonstrate your skills and knowledge, then please contact Premier Training Academy on 0330 9000 700. There is already a notable market within this area, and it is predicted to continue expanding, so why not arm yourself with this new skill which we anticipate will prove to be extremely lucrative moving forward.
‘I have a hybrid car and I needed an electrical vehicle charging point installed at the front of my house, I was a little apprehensive because over the years I’ve had builders in the house and some things have been a bit of a challenge and eventually we have managed to get some of our expectations delivered. The NAPIT member who turned up to deliver the work was really really pleasant. He explained what he was going to do and then asked me what my expectations were. He had a look around the house and then said very politely ‘Mr Mason, the best thing you can do is keep out my way and get the kettle on and ill crack on with the work!’ All the way through he kept me informed and at the end of the job he explained how I use the charging point. He gave me some handover documents and gave me some telephone numbers in case I need some help.
I came away a really really happy customer, the engagement was great and the way I was treated was great. I think I’ve got a really good quality job and it’s just an example of the how relationships build when standards are met’ – Phil Mason (Head of compliance at TrustMark)