For Immediate Release: June 9, 2022

Contact: Matt Spence  202-728-6134

IBEW Statement on the Biden Administration’s Proposed Standards for National Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Lonnie Stephenson, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, issued the following statement supporting the Biden-Harris administration’s proposed electric vehicle charging infrastructure standards: 

“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. Today we are pleased that the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the Department of Transportation sets the foundation for the development of national standards and recognizes the need for quality training by including the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program  (EVITP) within those proposed standards. 

“With this action, the Department of Transportation put a premium on the foundational and EV-specific skills that make the IBEW the most professionalized electrical workforce in the country. The country’s rapid adoption of electric vehicles depends in large part on the safe, orderly build-out of the electrical vehicle charging infrastructure, and the required certification is an upskill that the IBEW offers to members nationwide. The DOT is prioritizing the safety of the traveling public and the creation of career pathways for working people by requiring EVITP training.

“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, sparing costly and time-consuming repairs down the road while creating good, union jobs.

“Today’s announcement is a significant step towards this goal. The IBEW looks forward to working with the Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, and other stakeholders to ensure an electric vehicle future that provides safety and security to working families and the public as we work toward accomplishing the Biden administration’s clean energy goals.”

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The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 775,000 members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.