ST. LOUIS – Momentum in expanding the electric vehicle charging network is getting a significant boost with the installation EV infrastructure and chargers at St. Louis city hall.  The infrastructure will support charging for up to 50 electric vehicles. Two of the EV chargers are donated – including installation -- by the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership.  Two Electrical Connection contractors – RJP Electric and Burris Electric – performed site infrastructure improvements and installed the chargers.  The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Left to right, Rob Malcom, RJP Electric, and Jason Burris, Burris Electric flank one of the two EV chargers donated by the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership at St. Louis city hall.

“St. Louis city hall is just one of many high profile sites where our region is progressively responding to the need for more EV charging stations,” noted Frank Jacobs, IBEW Local 1 business manager. “We encourage civic and business enterprises to follow the city’s leadership in sustainability and tap into our skilled workforce and contractors to advance this transformative moment in history supporting the future of EVs.”

St. Louis Chapter NECA Executive Vice President Kyle McKenna addresses the media in the St. Louis city hall rotunda. 

 The RJP and Burris team installed an entirely separate 1,000-amp, 120/208-volt service and a main distribution panel with two breaker boxes to support up to 25 EV chargers with dual ports in the city hall parking lot.  A total of three Level 2 dual chargers have also been installed, two of them donated by the Electrical Connection. The city is also planning a separate meter installed by Ameren Missouri to monitor EV charger use.

 Left to right, Jeremy Edwards of RJP Electric and Jason Burris of Burris Electric install one of two breaker boxes that support charging for up to 50 electric vehicles at St. Louis city hall

“Our contractors have oriented services to guide communities and businesses through every step of EV charger installation,” noted Kyle McKenna, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter NECA.  “That includes securing utility incentives, planning and procuring EV chargers and supporting infrastructure and installation.  We’re thankful for the city’s leadership in expanding the region’s EV charger network.”  Guidance for planning the installation of EV chargers and infrastructure can be found at the Electrical Connection web site at www.electricalconnection.org.

“The construction of these new electric vehicle charging stations demonstrates just one part of St. Louis' commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.  “The IBEW/NECA innovative labor partnership was instrumental in moving this project forward, and I thank the elected leaders, union electricians, and everyone across St. Louis City government who came together to make this exciting project a reality."

Left to right, Rob Malcom, RJP Electric, and Jason Burris, Burris Electric install an EV charger at St. Louis city hall.  

The backbone of the skilled service to expand the region and state’s network of EV chargers is the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center. It helped pioneer the development of the national Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP).  This year, it will add 200 to 300 journey workers and apprentices  trained in EVITP.   It also offers ongoing continuing education in EV charger technology to the IBEW/NECA workforce and contractors. The Missouri Energy Initiative (MEI) noted that the training center has become of hub of EV infrastructure training in its benchmark white paper detailing the state of Missouri’s EV infrastructure.

Electrical Connection members provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.