With Australia’s EV market rapidly expanding, now is an ideal time for electricians to diversify their offerings by including EV charger installations. Beyond technical expertise, establishing a successful EV charging business requires a clear understanding of your market, strategic promotion of your services, and building strong foundation of cliental. This guide outlines actionable steps to help you grow your business, focusing specifically on residential EV charger installation opportunities. Don’t miss future instalments of our Guide for Electricians blog series for more insights and strategies.
Why Build an EV Charging Business in the First Place?
The demand for EV chargers is growing rapidly, driven by government incentives, environmental awareness, and the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). Here’s why it’s a great time to start:
Future-Proof Your Business
The Australian EV market is accelerating; EVs accounted for 9.5% of all new car sales in 2024, up from 8.4% in 2023 and 3.8% in 2022. The Federal Government’s upcoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, set to begin this year, is expected to further increase the supply of EV models and drive higher EV adoption rates through increased EV availability and affordability. Electricians who position themselves now can benefit from the rising demand driven by policy changes and incentives.
Expand Your Skill Set
The shift to EVs, driven by lower costs and environmental benefits, requires skilled professionals to install and maintain charging infrastructure, creating an opportunity for electricians to become essential players in the transition. Adding EV charger installations to your services allows you to stay ahead in a fast-evolving industry while increasing your revenue streams.
Make an Impact
Transport accounts for one-fifth of Australia’s carbon emissions, and decarbonising this sector is critical to meeting climate goals. As part of this effort, EVs offer a cleaner alternative to internal combustion vehicles, with widespread environmental and health benefits, such as reduced air pollution and noise. By entering the EV charging market, you contribute directly to Australia’s net-zero transition and sustainable future.
Interested in learning more about starting home EV installations? Check out our previous issue in the series on How to Get Started with EV Installations in Homes.
Understand Your Market
To effectively build your EV charging business, understanding your audience and how to reach them is essential:
Solar Customers:
Many EV owners also have solar panels installed at home, making energy-conscious homeowners a key audience for these customers. Highlight the synergy between EV chargers and renewable energy. Learn more about why Sparkies should offer Solar EV Charging.
Leverage Local Trends:
Research your local EV adoption rates (Refer to Section 8 Here) and available government grants to position your services strategically. In Western Australia and the Northern Territory, there are open grants that support the cost of installing EV charging infrastructure for homes and businesses. Additionally, a national program supports dealerships and repairers with charging infrastructure:
- Northern Territory (Home & Business) – Electric Vehicle Charger (Residential and Business) Grants Scheme
- Western Australia (Businesses, Government and Non-profits) – WA Charge Up Grant
- National (Dealerships and Repairers) – The DRIVEN Program
Promote Your Services
Marketing plays a crucial role in building awareness and attracting customers. Here are some strategies to consider:
Reconnect with Your Existing Clients: Your current clients are a goldmine for repeat business and referrals. Tap into them with follow-up campaigns, special offers, or cross-selling opportunities
Online Presence: Create a website or landing page showcasing your EV charging services, customer reviews, and completed jobs. Use relevant keywords to optimise for your page for Search Engine Optimisation.
Social Media: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to reach potential clients. Highlight your expertise with posts, videos, and guides.
Client Testimonials and Case Studies: Share success stories to build credibility and trust with potential clients.
Strategies to Upsell EV Chargers to Existing Clients
Target Solar Customers
Many EV owners already use solar energy, making them ideal candidates for EV charger installations. Position the chargers as a way to maximise their renewable energy use, capture energy while its cheap, and reduce reliance on the grid. Highlight the seamless integration of EV chargers with existing solar setups for added convenience.
Promote Future-Proofing with Home Renovations
Suggest EV charger installations during home renovations, rewiring projects, or solar panel upgrades. Highlight the growing trend of EV adoption and how adding a charger now ensures the home is ready for future needs, increasing property value and appeal.
Additionally, innovations like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology are on the horizon, enabling EVs to feed energy back into the grid or power homes during outages. For clients interested in staying ahead, note that V2G requires specific V2G-capable chargers. V2G equipment is only approved for installation in South Australia, with other regions awaiting distributor approvals via CEC; but preparing for this future capability can further enhance the property’s long-term value and energy efficiency.
Create Package Deals for Fleet and Commercial Clients
If you’re doing home installations for businesses with fleet vehicles that are garaged at home, consider tailoring your approach to highlight how this benefits their operations. Many businesses are starting to transition to EVs, and offering a comprehensive solution can position you as a trusted partner. Bundle chargers with volume discounts and flexible payment options to make transitioning to EVs more cost-effective for their operations.
By incorporating these targeted marketing strategies and upsell approaches, you can maximise your reach and build long-term relationships with clients who see the value of sustainable energy solutions.
Success Tips for EV Charging Business Growth
Focus on Energy-Conscious Clients
Energy-conscious homeowners are your prime audience for EV charger installations. These clients are often already invested in sustainability, such as through solar panels or energy-efficient appliances, making them more likely to see the value of EV chargers. Tailor your messaging to highlight how EV chargers align with their energy-saving goals and reduce overall carbon footprints.
Bundle with Full-Home Energy Solutions
Position EV chargers as part of a holistic energy upgrade. Offer bundled packages that combine solar panel installations, home battery systems, and EV chargers. This not only simplifies the process for clients but also boosts the perceived value of your services. Highlight the convenience and cost savings of integrating these solutions.
There are apps available that provide homeowners with detailed insights into their overall energy usage. They offer real-time insights into home energy use, including solar generation, battery performance, and EV charging, helping homeowners optimise efficiency and reduce costs.
“Good, Better, Best” Selection
Simplify decision-making for your clients by offering a “good, better, best” product tier. This structure lets clients choose an option that aligns with their budget and needs, while helping you stay proficient with a manageable range of chargers. Each tier can focus on features like charging speed, connectivity, or compatibility with solar systems.
Develop Your Expertise and Leverage JET Charge’s Support
Confidence comes from knowledge and preparation, and partnering with the right supplier is key to ensuring your success in the EV charging market. Here’s how you can elevate your business with the JET Charge Partner Store:
- Training and Resources: Stay up-to-date with JET Charge’s comprehensive training materials, installation guides and events. Equip yourself with the knowledge to confidently install EV chargers and offer top-notch service.
- Hardware Familiarity: Familiarise yourself with trusted EV chargers and accessories. At JET Charge, we only offer what we know, use, and trust. Every EV charger and accessory we sell is carefully vetted and tested by our team to ensure it meets Australian standards and provides reliable performance. By familiarising yourself with our range of certified products, you can confidently recommend the best solutions for your clients, knowing they come from a brand we stand behind.
- Customer Education: Help your clients make informed decisions by sharing your expertise on the benefits of EV chargers, energy savings, and installation options.
- Exclusive Support and Tools: Partnering with JET Charge means gaining access to expert advice and real-time support from our team, available 7am–7pm (AEST). We’ll help you troubleshoot, provide technical guidance, and assist with any challenges you face. Already have questions? Call us on (03) 9063 3483.
- Volume Discounts & Flexible Payment Options: You’ll enjoy volume discounts on top-quality products and trade credit to support your business growth. With our help, you’ll keep costs manageable and your business thriving.
- Easy Returns and Replacements: If there’s a hardware issue, our process is quick and hassle-free. For chargers like Zappi and Kempower, labour costs for replacing defective units are also covered. Learn more here.
With JET Charge’s support, growing your business becomes easier—and your expertise will set you apart in the EV charging market.
Start Growing Your Business Today!
The EV charging revolution is here, and the opportunity is yours to seize. By promoting your services, understanding your market, and leveraging JET Charge’s support, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving EV charging business.
Ready to get started? Explore the JET Charge Partner Store for quality chargers, expert advice, and tools to grow your business.
Let’s power the future together!