Making the Move into EV Charging and Renewables: Is It Worth It for Electricians?
- 7 Core Electrical Wholesale Ltd
- Jul 16
- 7 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
The electrical industry is changing rapidly.
From electric vehicle charging and battery storage to solar PV and smart energy management, demand for renewable technologies continues to grow as the government push for their ‘Net Zero’ strategy, reinforced through budgets and pushing electrification across different environments.
With this, homeowners and businesses are also looking for more sustainable and cost-effective ways to power their properties and make the shift to electric mobility as the future of transport.
Yet, despite the opportunities, many electrical contractors are still undecided about whether to expand into these areas.
At 7 Core Electrical, conversations with our customers suggest that on average, only around 40-45% of contractors currently offer EV charging installations and renewable technologies. While every business is different, it raises an interesting question:
Is now the right time to diversify into EV charging and renewable technologies?
Why More Contractors Should be Considering EV Charging and Renewables
An electrician’s role is changing fast, and while core electrical competence will always be essential, it’s evident that electricians who don’t add new technologies to their skill set risk being left behind.
Especially in 2026, renewable technologies are no longer viewed as specialist installations. They’re becoming an increasingly common part of modern electrical projects. Electricians who will thrive over the next few years will be the ones who are prepared to diversify their skills to meet the growing opportunities within the sector.
There are several types of EV jobs which spans distinct categories of work, each with different technical requirements and commercial characteristics:
Residential smart charging: high-volume, repeatable installations that form the bulk of day-to-day work for many electrical contractors
Workplace and fleet electrification: higher-value, multi-unit projects as employers respond to staff demand and fleet transition targets
Rapid and Ultra-rapid charging: specialist installations requiring advanced skills typically linked to higher service value
Installers who can operate confidently across more than one of these segments are best placed to capture the broadest share of available work, command higher rates, and build longer-term relationships with customers who increasingly want a single, trusted electrical specialist.
Why Are Many Electricians Still Hesitant?
Like any new service, moving into EV charging or renewables can feel like a daunting step. According to an electrician’s forum, there are several concerns when it comes to becoming an EV charger installer, including the risk of inheriting pre-existing faults. When an electrician installs a new dedicated circuit for an EV charger, they must sign off the safety of the entire system. If the existing property has improper grounding or an outdated main switch, the installer legally cannot proceed without fixing those elements first. This frequently causes friction with homeowners who expect a cheap, fast plug-and-play installation, leaving the electrician caught between strict regulatory liability and an unhappy customer.
Other common concerns include:
Investing in additional training and qualifications.
Keeping up with changing regulations and technologies.
Choosing the right products from an increasingly competitive market.
Uncertainty around customer demand.
Finding the time for training while running a busy business.
These are all valid considerations. However, as the market continues to evolve, it’s imperative for electricians that want to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive to consider adding this to offerings. Many manufacturers, wholesalers and training providers are now making it easier than ever for contractors to get started.
While the demand for EV charging continues to grow, many contractors are still hesitant to take the first step. According to our supplier partner Rolec, the challenge isn’t a lack of opportunity, it’s a lack of confidence.
“One of the biggest barriers we believe that prevent electricians to pursue EV changing is confidence, not opportunity. Many electricians recognise the opportunity but are unsure where to start, particularly as the technology continues to evolve.
There is a perception that EV charging requires specialist knowledge or that projects are complicated. While there are additional considerations compared with traditional electrical installations, the fundamentals remain familiar to experienced electrical professionals.”
Rolec is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of EV charging solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of AC fast and DC rapid charging solutions designed for domestic, commercial and public charging applications.
To help bridge that gap, Rolec provide dedicated installer training through technical guidance, access to experienced specialists and free CPD-accredited courses. The aim is to give contractors the knowledge and confidence needed to expand into the EV charging market and deliver reliable, future-ready solutions.
Additionally, Rolec’s EV charging technology has evolved significantly ensuring their products are practical for contractors to fit and maintain on site whilst providing end users with smart functionality, connectivity, and solutions that integrate with their wider energy usage.
“At Rolec, as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we remain focused on our product roadmap, continued innovation, and supporting the contractors and partners who are helping shape the future of EV infrastructure.”
Where Strong Opportunities Lies
For electricians, the opportunity in renewables is not limited to one type of installation. EV charging may be one of the most visible areas of growth, but it sits within a much wider shift towards electrification, smarter energy use and low-carbon technology across homes, workplaces and public buildings.
This shift is being driven by a combination of customer demand, government policy and long-term changes in how properties are powered. Homeowners are looking for ways to reduce energy costs and make better use of renewable energy, while businesses are investing in charging infrastructure, energy monitoring and more efficient building systems.
One clear example we see with this is the ‘Future Homes Standard’ where new homes in England are all required to include EV charge points, embedding EV infrastructure as standard electrical work rather than a niche add-on.
Renewable and low-carbon technologies remain a major growth area too. Solar PV, battery storage, EV charging, and heat pumps all rely on strong electrical competence creating new opportunities for contractors who are ready to diversify. Government-backed schemes, such as the Workplace Charging Scheme give eligible businesses up to 75% of the total purchase and installation costs of electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
Smart homes and building automation are also moving into the mainstream, and customers increasingly expect smart controls, energy monitoring, and connected devices as standard. This requires not just installation skills, but confidence in configuration and commissioning, as well as the ability to explain systems clearly to end users.
Finally, maintenance, inspection, and testing remain the backbone of the industry. As the EV and low-carbon technology market matures, so does the regulatory and technical framework around it. Installers who can demonstrate rigorous compliance and testing practice are better positioned to win repeat and higher-value EV and renewable installation work.
More Than Just EV Chargers
Today’s renewable installations aren’t just about EV charging; it often involves multiple technologies working together.
For example, a homeowner may choose to install:
An EV charger.
Solar panels.
Battery storage.
Smart energy management systems.
Together, these solutions can help maximise self-generated electricity, improve energy efficiency and reduce reliance on the grid.
Businesses are also looking to reduce their reliance on the grid and take greater control of their energy usage. Technologies such as solar PV and battery storage are becoming increasingly important. For electrical contractors, understanding how these systems work together presents an opportunity to offer customers more complete, future-ready solutions.
This is a trend that manufacturers are seeing first-hand. We spoke with supplier partners, SolaX Power, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) energy storage solutions with more than 700,000 residential energy storage systems deployed across over 80 countries, to gain their perspective on where the industry is heading.
“The EV charging and renewable technologies market will continue to grow over the next three to five years, it’s as simple as that. Everything is becoming battery powered, from everyday household items to electric vehicles, and that shift is driving greater demand for smarter energy solutions across the UK and Ireland.
While EV charging continues to grow, battery storage is just as important and shouldn’t be overlooked. We’re seeing increasing demand from both residential and commercial customers who want to become more energy independent and make better use of renewable energy. It’s important for electricians and contractors to stay ahead of the game and understand how these technologies work together.
Electricians and contractors who are looking to expand their services and become a Solax Approved Installer by visiting our free in-person training held at our bespoke training facility in Atherstone. We also provide training around the country with our Sales and Technical team.”
Battery storage is becoming an increasingly valuable addition to renewable installations, allowing customers to store excess energy generated by solar panels for use later in the day or during periods of peak electricity prices. As demand for integrated energy solutions continues to grow, contractors who understand the wider renewable ecosystem will be well placed to support customers both now and in the future.
Thinking about taking the next steps?
It is evident that electricians who invest in their skills now will no doubt be better placed to shape their own futures, rather than simply reacting to change. For contractors who are considering expanding into EV charging or renewable technologies, there are plenty of avenues where contractors can get started.
Many contractors begin with smaller domestic installations before gradually expanding into commercial projects, battery storage or integrated renewable systems.
The key is to:
Invest in recognised, trusted training – ideally with a manufacturer or training body.
Work with trusted manufacturers.
Stay informed about industry developments.
Build relationships with suppliers who can support you as your business grows.
Like any area of the electrical industry, confidence comes with experience.
We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts
Are you already installing EV chargers or renewable technologies? If not, what’s the biggest barrier stopping you?
Speak to your local 7 Core Electrical branch by using our contact form, we’d love to hear about your experiences and help support your next project.
Interested to become an Approved Installer?
Grow your expertise with SolaX: All your training, support & know how in one place – visit this page.
Looking to become a Rolec Approved Installer? Visit their training page here.
Comments