When I look at how much the electrical industry has changed since I first started working in the trade, one thing is clear. Electricity is becoming a bigger part of everyday life.
Homes are using more electric appliances. Businesses are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency. Solar power is becoming more common. Battery storage is developing quickly. And electric vehicles are becoming a bigger part of the conversation.
As an electrician and someone who has always been interested in solar and electric vehicles, I find that change exciting. It also creates a lot of opportunities for electricians.
The future of transportation is becoming more connected to the electrical industry, and that means our work is going to become even more important.
EVs Need More Than a Charger
When people think about electric vehicles, they often think about the car itself. But from an electrician’s perspective, the conversation starts with everything that needs to happen before that vehicle can charge safely.
Installing an EV charger is not simply a matter of plugging something into a wall. Depending on the property and the charger, an installation may require looking at the existing electrical service, determining available capacity, checking the electrical panel, running new wiring, and making sure everything is installed properly.
Every home is different.
A homeowner may already have enough capacity for an EV charger, while another property may require electrical upgrades. A commercial property can present an entirely different set of challenges when multiple vehicles need to charge at the same time.
That is where experienced electricians come in.
Residential Electricians Will See New Opportunities
For residential electricians, EV charging is becoming another important service to understand.
Many homeowners want the convenience of charging their vehicle at home. Instead of making regular trips to a public charging station, they can plug in at the end of the day and have their vehicle ready for the next morning.
But installing charging equipment correctly matters.
Electricians need to understand the home’s existing electrical system and how the additional load will affect it. In some cases, homeowners may also be considering solar panels or battery storage at the same time.
That creates an opportunity to look at the home as an entire energy system instead of treating every project as a separate installation.
Commercial Charging Will Be a Different Challenge
The commercial side could be even more interesting.
Businesses, apartment buildings, offices, parking garages, and other properties may eventually need charging infrastructure for employees, customers, tenants, or company vehicles.
A commercial property might need several chargers instead of one. That means electricians have to think about much more than simply connecting equipment.
There may be questions about available electrical capacity, equipment placement, wiring distances, future expansion, and how multiple chargers will operate together.
Planning becomes extremely important.
The electrician is no longer just installing something. They are helping design part of the property’s energy infrastructure.
Solar and EVs Can Work Together
One of the areas I am especially interested in is the connection between solar energy and electric vehicles.
I got my start in the electrical industry working on solar installations in Massachusetts, so I have seen firsthand how much that technology has developed.
Now imagine a home with solar panels producing electricity during the day, an electric vehicle that needs to be charged, and a battery system that can store energy for later use.
Those technologies can work together to create a much more connected energy system.
There are still plenty of technical considerations, and every property is different, but the overall idea is exciting. We are moving toward a future where people have more control over how they produce, store, and use electricity.
Electricians will play a major role in making that possible.
The Trade Has to Keep Learning
One thing I have learned throughout my career is that you cannot stop learning.
When I started as a helper, I could not have predicted all the changes that would happen in the electrical industry. I worked my way up, became a foreman, earned my Master Electrician license, worked with the IBEW, and traveled around the country.
Every stage required learning something new.
EV technology is no different.
Electricians who want to stay competitive need to understand new equipment, changing technology, electrical requirements, and the different ways charging systems can be integrated into residential and commercial properties.
That does not mean you need to know everything on day one. It means you need to stay curious.
Safety Will Always Matter
As technology changes, one thing will never change. Safety has to come first.
Electricians are responsible for making sure systems are installed correctly and operate safely. That responsibility becomes even more important as homes and businesses add new electrical loads.
There is no reason to rush a job just to get it finished faster. Taking the time to understand the system, follow the proper requirements, and do quality work protects everyone involved.
That is something I have believed throughout my career, and it is something I want to carry forward with Rocky Coast Electric.
Opportunities for the Next Generation
I also think the growth of EVs creates a great opportunity for young people considering a career in the trades.
There is an outdated idea that electrical work is just about wires, outlets, and breaker panels. The industry is much bigger than that now.
Electricians are working with solar systems, EV chargers, battery storage, smart technology, energy management systems, and increasingly sophisticated electrical infrastructure.
For someone who enjoys working with their hands but also likes technology, there are a lot of possibilities.
You can build a career, become a specialist, move into leadership, or eventually start your own company.
I know that because I have lived it myself.
Looking Toward the Future
I do not think electric vehicles are just a passing trend. I think they are part of a much larger shift toward electrification.
As more people adopt EVs, the demand for charging infrastructure will grow. That means more work for electricians and more opportunities to learn new skills.
For me, that is one of the most exciting things about this industry. I started my career in solar, watched the technology evolve, and eventually built my own electrical company. Now I get to see another major change taking place.
The future of transportation is becoming connected to the future of electricity.
Electricians are going to be right in the middle of it.
The technology will continue to change, but the fundamentals will remain the same. Show up, keep learning, work safely, solve problems, and do the job right.
That is how I plan to approach the future, and I am excited to see where it takes us.