Committee backs requirement that electricians installing EV chargers hold specialized certification

The Committee on Licenses and Inspections unanimously voted to report bill 240,666 from committee with a favorable recommendation and to suspend the rules to permit first reading at the next City Council session.

The measure would amend Title 9 of the Philadelphia Code to require electrical contractors who install, maintain or upgrade electric‑vehicle charging equipment to hold a city‑recognized EV installer certification such as the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) or an equivalent program approved by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). The committee approved the bill after testimony from L&I, labor and industry representatives and private contractors who said the certification requirement is needed to protect public safety and ensure compliance with existing permitting rules.

The requirement is intended to complement earlier council action on EV infrastructure. Councilmember Nina Ahmad said the bill is “a critical companion” to legislation she introduced, bill 240,674, which established permitting and inspection standards for EV chargers. “Without this bill, the Department of Licenses and Inspections cannot update the Eclipse licensing system, notify affected license holders, or properly enforce the new standards that took effect on April 1, 2025,” Ahmad said, urging the committee to report the bill favorably.

Alex Palmer, Director of Enforcement for the Department of Licenses and Inspections, told the committee the department supports bill 240,666 because it fills an enforcement gap left after earlier ordinances. Palmer said the city passed bill 240,500 in 2024 to create a permitting process for charging stations but lacked authority to require and verify specialized contractor training. “This bill would allow the department to ensure that only those contractors who have an additional EV certification are able to do this technically challenging work safely and efficiently,” Palmer said.

Speakers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 described their apprenticeship and training as a model for meeting the new standard. Ignatius Fletcher Jr., an instructor at Local 98’s apprentice training program, said the union’s curriculum includes EVITP and other emerging‑technology modules. Larry McCray, an electrical contractor and Local 98 member since 1968, summarized the bill’s effect as ensuring EV work is “code compliant installed by professionals with the proper training and certifications.” McCray said the apprenticeship program includes 1,080 classroom hours and about 8,000 on‑the‑job training hours.

Private-sector contractors also supported the measure. Marissa Diaz, chief executive officer of eB Fast LLC, a Philadelphia firm that manages EV charging projects, cited safety and load‑analysis concerns on Philadelphia’s older grid and urged adoption to protect consumers and property owners. Matthew Dominic, a partner at MPC Charging, said requiring EVITP or equivalent training will raise the bar for quality and reduce hazards and costly errors.

Committee members moved and seconded the motion to report bill 240,666 favorably and to suspend the rules for first reading; the chair called a voice vote and the ayes carried. There was no public comment on the bill during the hearing. The committee record shows the bill will proceed to first reading at the next council session.

Votes at a glance: bill 240,666 — reported from the Committee on Licenses and Inspections with a favorable recommendation; motion moved by Councilmember Scuilla, seconded by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson; voice vote, ayes carried.

The bill references existing and related actions: the earlier permitting ordinance (bill 240,674) and the 2024 ordinance (bill 240,500) that established initial L&I authority to regulate charging stations; the committee heard that enforcement of those requirements depends on the certification authority created by the current bill.