Underwriters Laboratories Creates Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation Training Programs

With President Obama's call for at least 1 million electric vehicles in the United States by 2015, several major automakers are poised to offer various models of fully electric (as opposed to gas-electric hybrid) vehicles to American consumers. To support the anticipated demand for electric vehicles, the race is on to develop, manufacture and install a large enough network of charging stations so that mass-market adoption of electric vehicles can become a reality.



Offered through UL University, UL's new training programs will provide a platform for various stakeholders who are involved in the design, construction, installation and inspection of electric vehicle charging equipment. A training module, as well as a hands-on testing component, will allow participants to demonstrate their understanding of relevant National Electric Code (NEC) articles, various installation requirements, UL electric vehicle safety standards and emerging electric vehicle infrastructure technology. UL is also developing programs for code officials and inspectors, installers and designers.



The industry is well aware that the availability of safely installed charging stations poses a limiting factor in how quickly Americans adopt electric vehicles, said Gary Savin, UL's Vice President and General Manager for Electric Vehicle and Global Power and Control Business Unit. We believe that the creation of these training programs can speed up the development, installation and inspection of the electric vehicle charging equipment process within the United States. And we plan on developing similar programs for other countries around the world.



UL anticipates that the training programs will be launched in the early fall of 2010, in time for the introduction of the plug-in and battery electric vehicle. In addition to the general training program for installers, UL will also be creating company-specific training programs which will allow for infrastructure equipment manufacturers to have installers trained on their equipment.