If it is possible to recharge the batteries of one’s electric vehicle more and more easily in public areas thanks to charging systems made available to users by local authorities, in public car parks, shopping centers, in service stations, etc., the majority of electric car owners choose to charge their vehicle at home, at their workplace for professionals.
It is possible to plug your vehicle into a simple household socket, but the most efficient solution in terms of charging time and safety is to install a charging station, most often called a wallbox. What are the rules for installing this type of equipment? Which professional can install a charging station? Are specific qualifications required?
When should you hire a professional to install your charging station?
Owners of electric or plug-in hybrid cars have several solutions for recharging their vehicle’s batteries. Whether individuals or professionals, everyone has the option of connecting their electric car to charging stations available in public areas, in public car parks, shopping centers or elsewhere.
However, being able to charge your electric vehicle independently by being equipped with an individual charging station is the solution that turns out to be the most comfortable. Thus, an individual has the possibility of installing a charging station, also called a wallbox, at his home (outside or in his garage for example if it is a detached house), or on his private parking space if he lives in a condominium.
In the same way, companies can install charging stations in their car park or in their warehouse, for example, to facilitate the charging of their fleet of electric vehicles or those of their employees.
There are different types of charging stations which differ mainly according to the power they deliver, most often a power of at least 3 kW, and which can go well beyond 50 kW, particularly with regard to charging systems. intended for professionals.
The installation of charging stations for individuals, as for businesses, is strictly regulated by law. Thus, decree no. 2017-26 of January 12, 2017 stipulates that “ Excluding infrastructure with a total power less than or equal to 3.7 kW installed in a private residential building or in an outbuilding of a private residential building or whose main function is not to recharge electric vehicles and which are not accessible to the public, the recharging infrastructures are installed by professionals holding a qualification for the installation of said recharging infrastructures issued by an accredited qualification body ».
In other words, any installation of a charging station with a power equal to or greater than 3.7 kW must be carried out by a qualified professional.
A charging station installer must be certified and qualified
The installation of a charging station with a power equal to or greater than 3.7 kW must therefore be carried out by a certified and qualified professional.
This professional is generally an electrician. The latter must hold a qualification with the mention “Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (IRVE)”. To obtain this certification, the charging station installer must follow specific training which is divided into 3 different levels:
- level 1: installation of charging stations up to 22 kW, without specific configuration for communication and supervision;
- level 2: installation of charging stations up to 22 kW, with configuration for communicating terminals and station supervision;
- level 3: installation of fast charging stations over 22 kW.
These training courses must be approved by one of these two official bodies: the reference association for the qualification of electricity professionals (Qualifelec) or the French standardization association (Afnor). The qualification mention IRVE is issued by these bodies for a period of 4 years.
Note: in addition to the fact that a charging station installer must be certified and qualified, it should also be noted that the installation of a charging station itself must comply with the NFC 15-100 electrical standard. .
Calling on a qualified IRVE charging station installer is necessary to be eligible for public aid
Whether you are an individual or a professional, calling on a qualified installer with the IRVE mention to equip yourself with a charging station whose power is equal to or greater than 3.7 kW is an obligation, and above all the guarantee of Dealing with an installer who has all the qualifications required to set up this equipment in the best conditions.
Having your charging station installed by a certified electrician is also one of the conditions for being able to benefit from the aid put in place by the public authorities to promote the development of electric vehicles that are more respectful of the environment.
This aid takes several forms: the ADVENIR bonus for companies, but also for individuals who live in an apartment building, and a tax credit for individuals who install a charging station in their single-family home. Some local authorities also offer subsidies to help individuals who equip themselves with an individual charging station.