Recommending EVITP in EV Charging Buildout

guidance released on Feb. 10, the Federal Highway Administration suggested the use of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) in its implementation of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure buildout.

The 30-page memo is a result of the recently enacted bipartisan infrastructure law, which includes the goal of putting the United States on the path to a nationwide network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030. At an announcement event in Washington, D.C. with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigeig and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, speakers affirmed the key role that IBEW members will play in their construction.

“The IBEW’s 775,000 members have long called for a highly-skilled, highly trained workforce to be at the forefront of electric vehicle charging infrastructure installation and maintenance,” President Stephenson said. “We are pleased that the guidance issued today by the Department of Transportation sets the foundation for the development of national standards and recognizes the need for quality training by including EVITP. Through these actions, DOT clearly demonstrates that it is prioritizing the safety of the traveling public and the creation of career pathways for working people.”

Stephenson said in the safe transition from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, the integrity of the infrastructure must be prioritized.

“With the right federal standards in place, our government can ensure that EV charging stations are installed to the

high-quality standards the American public deserves the first time, sparing costly and time-consuming repairs down the road while creating good, union jobs,” he said.

Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor to President Biden for infrastructure coordination, tweeted that the new EV chargers will use American parts. “And they’ll be installed up and down highway corridors across the country by IBEW workers. The benefits will ripple out thousands of miles away. America can lead the world in electric vehicles.”

With the Feb. 10 announcement, the highway administration agreed with the IBEW’s strong recommendation for the EVITP adoption, which was submitted to the agency in January. EVITP was developed with automobile manufacturers, utilities, energy storage device manufacturers, electrical contractors, state and local electrical inspectors and the National Fire Protection Agency to ensure electric vehicle charging equipment is installed to the highest standards of safety, performance and quality.

“By requiring EVITP certification, the Federal Highway Administration can avoid the expected consequences of substandard electrical work, including the ramifications for improper [charging network equipment] installation, which can be catastrophic,” said the IBEW comment document. “Importantly, EVITP training devotes considerable time to properly and accurately performing load calculations, which are essential to avoiding electrical fires and to the responsible deployment and operation of EV charging infrastructure.”