August 31, 2021

Empowering Customers to Embrace Electric With EV Charging Installation Opportunities for Contractors

4 Min. Read

The US is betting on an electric future. With this comes new challenges and opportunities for new industries. In a unique situation, all auto companies are starting to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) and are selling them to regular homeowners. This presents EV opportunities for electrical contractors, enabling them to find new clients in this emergent market.

Large Corporations Embrace EVs

As more and more car companies bet on EVs, the automobile landscape is slowly changing. Each quarter, it seems that another automaker is launching a new EV. As the market shifts away from the internal combustion engine, the EV marketplace is expanding. In fact, the Big 3 out of Detroit (Volkswagen, Ford and GM) are expected to have 100 EV offerings in the next five years. This trend will continue to grow as more companies move towards electrification.

The Electrification Trend

It is clear that the automotive industry is moving towards electrification:

• More than 10 million electric vehicles were on the road in 2020 (a 43% increase from 2019). BEVs (battery electric vehicles) lead the way.
• In 2020, Europe overtook China as the biggest EV market.
• Despite the pandemic, there was an increase in EV registrations in developed countries.

This data shows that EVs are becoming more competitive and are a viable option for many consumers. While this does not mean that the internal combustion engine is dying, it does mean there is a new player in town that you, as an electrical contractor, should take advantage of.

The Largest Car Manufacturers Go Electric

When General Motors unveiled the all-electric Hummer EV in late 2020, the world noticed. GM is signaling that it intends to go full speed ahead into the production of electric vehicles. Transitioning the iconic off-road military vehicle to all-electric was a huge step, and it has been well received.

GM recently announced that it intends to go fully electric by 2035 and phase out all diesel and gas engines. This is a move that other automakers are following. In fact, Ford recently launched the Mustang Mach E, and the Ford F-150 Lightning EV will soon follow. This commitment to reduce emissions and become carbon neutral is a serious endeavor, and these big companies are putting their money where their mouths are, thus proving that EVs are not in the hypothetical future anymore. So, to stay competitive and reach a growing market, it’s time to take EV opportunities for electrical contractors more seriously.

Other Giants Pledge to Go Electric

Uber, the global ride-sharing service, also pledged to go all-electric by 2030. This a bold statement. Uber fleets are ubiquitous across much of the world. So, for the company to make such a huge pledge despite not owning any of the vehicles in the fleets themselves shows serious commitment.

It seems the push to reduce emissions and be “green” is the biggest driver behind their charge. As the EV market snowballs bigger and bigger, it is sending messages to downstream industries to get in gear and get ready for the surge of other ancillary customer needs that are rising. Enter electrical contractors.

EV Opportunities for Electrical Contractors

As EVs continue to stream into the consumer market, they are creating specific opportunities for electrical contractors. Obviously, EVs need to be charged, and consumers demand convenience and ease of access. This creates a lane for eager electrical contractors to gain new customers and make more revenue from the EV charging business.

Growing Demand for Electrical Contractors to Serve This Market

The network of charging stations is growing exponentially, and there is a need for electricians to install, repair and retrofit charging stations. Many businesses like to offer EV charging stations at their locations and parking structures too, in order to provide convenient charging ports for the growing EV population.

This means there are EV opportunities for electrical contractors to install and repair these charging units as well. Another huge market for them is the installation of at-home charging stations.

At-Home Charge Station Installations on the Rise

As customers bring home more EVs, they are demanding the convenience of at-home charging stations. But this convenience goes beyond just plugging the EV into a standard outlet. Instead, consumers are wanting specialized charging units that electricians need to install.

Thus, this market is opening up huge opportunities to gain new and repeat business from EV owners. Electrical contractors can still do their routine lighting retrofits or panel upgrades, but now they can stack EV charging stations on top.

Take Advantage of a Growing List of Potential Contracts With Qmerit

Qmerit has a nationwide network of installers that you can join. This unique opportunity puts certified electrical contractors like you in contact with pre-qualified customers. This allows you to expand your business.

Qmerit has also partnered with major automakers like GM and Rivian, to name a few, which translates into more customers for the electrical contractors in the network.

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 450,000 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 access to 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!