As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to grow, there are countless opportunities emerging for electricians who want to upskill and are actively seeking electrification-related jobs, such as installing EV chargers. However, EV distribution varies by region, and so do opportunities for electricians and EV charger installers.

In this article, we examine the policies and projects shaping EV adoption, as well as explore the prime areas for growth and opportunity in different locations for the future to determine the best states for electricians and EV charger installers.

Analyzing State Policies and Incentives

State-level policies are a crucial factor in establishing some states as electrification leaders. Besides leveraging National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program funding, the following states have adopted some of the best policies to foster EV adoption making them ideal for electricians with EV charger installation experience.

California

California is one of the best states for electricians to find jobs and was the first state to adopt a plan to phase out ICE vehicles by 2035. Offering state-wide and local rebates for savings on both EVs and EV charger installations, residents in the state can qualify for thousands of dollars to help support the purchase or lease of an electric vehicle, in addition to savings on the purchase and installation of an at-home Level 2 EV charger and other energy transition technologies.

There are also various incentives financing the development of a charging network through the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project, available fleet rebates for businesses, and a vehicle replacement program for Bay Area residents.

Florida

Affordable energy rates combined with a relatively high gas tax are driving EV adoption and electrification in Florida and helping to make it a strong state in leading the energy transition. Utilities also offer strong incentives for Floridians, and the state is issuing funding through grants that support projects from businesses and municipalities.

Washington

Washington is following in California’s footsteps with a plan to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035 and with EV tax credits and rebates helping to drive consumer demand and affordability for residents. Consumers can qualify for a sales and use tax exemption when purchasing an EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, helping to drive up EV sales, and increasing demand for electricians as a need for EV charging continues to rise.

New Jersey

New Jersey offers a similar sale and use tax exemption to support its efforts to phase out ICE vehicle sales by 2035. The Charge Up New Jersey program also provides rebates on charging stations where residents can save $250 on the purchase and installation of at-home EV chargers in addition to the $1,000 rebate from the federal government for a charger installation.

New York

New York residents can save up to $2,000 on an EV purchase through a program offered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Additionally, the state is making significant strides towards a greener future with substantial infrastructure grants aimed at supporting its ambitious goal of achieving 100% EV sales by 2035.

Assessing EV Market Growth in Each State

The best states for electricians offer promising opportunities for the future thanks to their ongoing efforts to support EV sales and develop a robust charging infrastructure for residents and across the public sector.

California has the most EV sales of any state, with more than 1.1 million EV registrations recorded at the end of 2023. The state will continue developing and funding various programs to support its goal of reaching a 35% target for EV sales by 2026.

While Florida doesn’t have a mandate to phase out ICE vehicle sales, fluctuating gas prices combined with the state’s growing population will likely continue to drive EV adoption. Utilities are also playing a key role in electrification, with much of the policy and support for EV adoption and EV charging coming from a more local level.

For instance, Florida Light & Power (FLP) has committed to installing 1,000 EV charging stations in Southwest Florida. One plan from FLP includes helping increase at-home EV chargers by offering to pull the permit, hire the electrician, provide the charger, do all the work, and offer unlimited off-peak charging on weeknights and weekends for a rate of $38 a month, which includes the permit fees.

Washington State plans to have one million EVs on its roads by 2030. Rolling out new incentives, increasing the appeal of EV leasing, and installing chargers in strategic locations such as light poles are some considerations the state is considering to further support this goal. The Washington Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council (EV Council) is leading efforts to expand EV charging infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities, and to develop policies that support equitable access to EVs.

New Jersey will roll out 400 DC Fast chargers and 1,000 Level 2 chargers by 2025, and the state has implemented legislation to promote EVs, such as requirements for utilities to develop EV charging infrastructure, incentives for businesses to install charging stations, and tax exemptions for new or used electric vehicles.

New York City leads the way in the EV transition for the state, with the cleanest and greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country and the largest electric vehicle charging network in New York State. Electrifying New York: An Electric Vehicle Vision Plan lays out the state-wide initiatives to help increase EV adoption such as adding 40,000 Level 2 charging stations and 6,000 DC Fast charging locations by 2030.

Opportunities for Government Contracts and Projects

Government-funded programs are an added opportunity for certified electricians and EV charger installers to gain expertise, work on large-scale projects, and form partnerships with other electrification players that they can strategically leverage for future opportunities.

Most states are currently leveraging NEVI funding to build a charging infrastructure. For instance, Florida is electrifying all its major highways, while New Jersey has identified 18 interstate highways that will become Alternative Fuels Corridors.

California and Washington are using a mix of federal and state funding and California recently adopted a $1.9 billion investment emphasizing EV charging and public transit electrification for the state.

It’s also worth noting that many cities, utilities, and smaller local governments are playing an essential role in shaping public electrification projects. In Seattle, the public utility Seattle City Light is electrifying public transit, buildings, and more. In New York City, the Department of Transportation is overseeing the installation of public chargers, while the MTA is in the process of adopting a clean bus fleet.