EV Chargepoint Installer
Install domestic and commercial electric vehicle chargepoints — a growing trade underpinned by government-backed demand and the mass transition to electric vehicles.
Moderate
High
Existing electricians: 2–5 days short course to add EV qualification. New entrants without electrical background: 2–3 years Level 3 electrical apprenticeship plus EV award
18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671); Level 3 Award in Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation (City & Guilds 2919 or equivalent); OZEV Approved Installer registration
common
What you do
EV chargepoint installers design, install, and commission electric vehicle charging equipment in domestic properties, commercial premises, workplaces, car parks, and public locations. Domestic installations typically involve fitting a 7kW smart chargepoint from a consumer unit to a suitable outdoor location — assessing the existing electrical supply, installing protective devices, running cable, mounting the chargepoint unit, and commissioning and registering the installation on the relevant portal. Commercial and workplace installations involve higher-power equipment (22kW–150kW+), load management systems, demand management software, and more complex infrastructure work including trenching, conduit installation, and multi-point network configuration.
Installers must hold 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and the Level 3 Award in the Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment (often referred to as the EV Installation qualification — City & Guilds 2919 or IET PAC-EV). To install under the UK government's OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant schemes — including the EV Chargepoint Grant and Workplace Charging Scheme — installers must be registered on the OZEV Approved Installer list, which requires holding the relevant qualifications and public liability insurance. Many EV chargepoint installers are existing electricians who have upskilled, but the role is also accessible as a standalone specialism. Progression leads to commercial project manager, area supervisor, or building an EV installation business.
Why this career is resilient
The UK government has mandated an end to new petrol and diesel car sales from 2035, and the transition to electric vehicles is one of the most significant infrastructure challenges the UK faces. Every EV requires a charging solution — the vast majority of EV drivers charge at home or at their workplace, meaning the residential and commercial chargepoint installation market will need to grow from roughly 1 million installed points today to tens of millions over the next decade. This represents a structural, policy-driven demand that is entirely dependent on hands-on physical installation.
OZEV approval and the 18th Edition/EV qualification requirements create a regulated barrier to entry that protects qualified installers from casual competition. The combination of electrical competence and specific EV equipment knowledge is not trivial to acquire quickly. Domestic and commercial chargepoint installation cannot be automated or offshored — every installation involves a specific property, a specific electrical supply, and a specific customer's requirements that must be assessed, designed, and installed in person.
A typical day
First job: domestic EV chargepoint installation booked through a smart home installer partner — survey the property's consumer unit, assess the cable route, install a 7kW smart chargepoint on the outside wall, connect to the dedicated circuit with appropriate protection, commission the unit through the manufacturer app, and register the installation for the customer's OZEV grant claim. Second job: survey for a workplace charging installation at a company car park — assess the main incomer capacity, measure distances for the cable runs, and produce a quotation for 10 chargepoints with load management. Afternoon: complete EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) and minor works records for the morning jobs, and submit OZEV paperwork online.
Routes in
Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn: work with an employer and study part-time, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Typically funded by the government and your employer.
Full-time college course
Study full-time at a further education college, usually for 1–2 years. You will need to fund yourself or apply for a student loan (available for Level 4+ courses).
Employer-funded training
Some employers — particularly the NHS, emergency services, and larger care providers — run their own funded training programmes. You apply for a job and train as you work.
Pay and costs
Earning potential: Employed EV chargepoint installers earn £28,000–£40,000. Self-employed installers charging £300–£500 per domestic installation can earn £45,000–£70,000+ with a full diary. Commercial project work commands higher margins. Demand significantly outstrips current installer capacity in many regions.
Training costs: 18th Edition qualification (for existing tradespeople): £300–£600. City & Guilds 2919 EV installation award: £400–£800. OZEV installer registration: no charge (requires qualifying qualifications and insurance). Public liability insurance: £300–£600 per year. Van and tools: £5,000–£20,000 for self-employed set-up.