What is the IRVE?
The acronym IRVE(Infrastructure de Recharge pour Electric Vehicles) is often used when referring to the installation of a charging station or charging points. This concept is a certification covering all installations of electrical solutions for clean vehicles. According to decree n°2017-26 of January 13, 2017, any installer of charging points above 3.7 kW, must have IRVE qualification.
In view of the deployment of electric vehicles, theinstallation of charging points for businesses or individuals is more than necessary. To keep pace with this development, the French Energy Transition Law (n°2016-992, dated August 17, 2015), set a target of 7 million charging points installed by 2030. By the second quarter of 2022, according to Enedis estimates, France would have passed the milestone of one million private and public charging points.
For infrastructure installations with a power rating of 3.7 kW or less, the IRVE certification requirement does not apply in these two cases:
- If the infrastructure is located in a private residential building.
- If the outlets are not open to the public and their main function is not to charge electric vehicles.
Why get IRVE certification?
According to decree n°2017-26 of January 13, 2017IRVE certification is mandatory for the installation of charging stations. This certification also makes it possible to obtain the ADVENIR bonus, a subsidy that helps each beneficiary reduce supply and installation costs.
IRVE, a mandatory qualification for the installation of charging stations
With this certification, it is possible to install several charging infrastructures:
- Visit charging stations
- Normal charging points, with a power rating of 22 kW or less
- Fast or high-power recharging points with a power rating of 22 kW or more
- Charging points open to the public, "operated by a public or private operator".
- Intelligent charging
The benefits of certification
IRVE certification offers many advantages, including :
- Increased visibility in the IRVE market in terms of referencing
- Diversification of assignments as an electrician
- Enhance their skills and expertise
- The electric mobility market is booming: with the deployment of electric vehiclesfuture IRVE installers will be in much greater demand. This will accelerate the number of charging points to be installed, and keep pace with the development of electric vehicles.
- Guaranteed installation safety: thanks to the installer's expertise, drivers of electric cars will be protected against electrical hazards.
- Gain credibility: through qualification with Qualifelec andAFNORthe electrician benefits from the reputation of these two organizations.
How do I get IRVE certification?
To obtain IRVE certification, it is necessary to undergo training by approved organizations. In France, there are three organizations to choose from:
- Qualifelec
- AFNOR
Qualifelec
QualifelecQualifelec is a benchmark association and the first organization to offer IRVE qualification for electrical professionals.
For the latter, please ask :
- The "Electrical Installations for Housing-Commercial-Small and Medium-Sized Businesses" qualification
- The IRVE label
To qualify as an IRVE, you need to follow these 5 steps:
- IRVE training with a choice of 3 levels (level 1, level 2 or level 3)
- Choose the qualification index(es). We'll explain this later in the article.
- Obtain your IRVE qualification certificate by ordering your file on your customer area. Once completed, send it to Qualifelec.
- Once your application has been received, it will enter the qualification process: examination of the application, presentation of the application to the qualification committee, awarding of the qualification and mention.
IRVE-qualified electricians will be authorized to install charging stations for homes and businesses and apply for certification from theADVENIR PROGRAM.
AFNOR
L'AFNOR (Association française de Normalisation), created in 1926, is also a body that issues IRVE qualifications, and which requires training.
It's easy to apply:
- Request a quote and apply online.
- Your documents will be processed by AFNOR instructors.
- The committee of experts decides on your qualification. The certificate is issued for 4 years.
- A follow-up and evaluation will be carried out each year in the event of any changes in the situation.
Good to know: if you have completed a non-probationary training course, the IRVE 1, 2 or 3 label remains valid for a maximum of 4 years, while the probationary label remains valid for 2 years.
Get a quote for
your charging station
What level of training should I choose?
To take the IRVE training course, you can choose between 3 levels of qualification:
- Level 1, which corresponds to basic training
- Level 2, an expert level
- Level 3, which specializes in fast-charging installations.
The choice of qualification level will depend on your objectives, in particular the type of bollard you want to install (normal bollard, fast bollard, etc.) and your needs.
IRVE certification levels
In this IRVE training, 3 levels of certification apply the IRVE Decree 2017-26:
- Level 1 or basic training : for a minimum of 1 day, the electrician is trained on a charging station installation up to 22 kVA, without specific configuration for communication and supervision.
- Level 2 or expert training For a minimum of 2 days, training covers the installation of terminals up to 22 kVA, with configuration for communicating terminals and station supervision. This training is only available to Level 1 certified operators.
- Level 3 or "rapid recharging" training Over a 2-day period, electricians are trained to install all types of fast-charge terminals over 22 kVA. This 3ᵉ level of training is also affordable to those certified in basic training (Level 1).
How much does IRVE training cost?
Training prices vary according to several factors:
- The chosen qualification, in this case "Infrastructures de Recharge des Véhicules Électriques".
- The desired index
- PIRVE 1: probationary IRVE - index 1 (level 1 training over 2 years)
- PIRVE 2: probationary IRVE - index 2 (level 2 training over 2 years)
- PIRVE 3: IRVE probationary - index 3 (level 3 training over 2 years) (public charging station - total power greater than 36 kVA and charger DC CHARGER charger of 50 kW)
- PIRVEMA: IRVE probationary period - Maintenance index over 2 years
- IRVE 1: IRVE - index 1 (charging station - maximum inrush power less than or equal to 36 kVA)
- IRVE 2 - IRVE - index 2 (charging station - maximum inrush power greater than 36 kVA)
- IRVE 3: IRVE - index 3 (public charging station - total power greater than 36 kVA and 50 kW DC charger)
- IRVEMA: IRVE - Maintenance index
- The number and type of endorsements selected
- PIL: piloting
- PET: Probatoires Études
- ET: Studies
- PCHO: Probatory Horizontal Columns
- CHO: Horizontal Columns
To find out the exact price of your chosen course, you can directly make a simulation or consult their price listdated June 2022.
Where can you train to become an IRVE installer?
Here are some contacts for IRVE installer training:
| Company | Qualifec | AFNOR | Contact | Level 1 | Level 2 | NIveau 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AFNOR Compétence |
no |
yes |
|
yes |
yes |
no |
|
APRICOM |
yes |
no |
|
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
AUXO Action & Développement |
yes |
yes |
|
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
HAGER SAS |
yes |
yes |
|
yes (distance learning available) |
yes |
no |
IRVE certification objectives
But what happens at the end of the IRVE training course?
Regardless of the level of training chosen, a certified electrician will have acquired the skills needed to install charging stations.
As skills, the professional will be able to :
- Determining the appropriate infrastructure and associated accessories
- Understand the challenges of this fast-growing market
- Identify vehicle requirements
- Knowing the regulations
- Offer customers solutions tailored to their needs
- Build, test and commission an IRVE installation
- Take care of the terminal: maintenance and troubleshooting
In conclusion
As a newcomer to the electric mobility market, the installation of charging stations requires expertise and mastery of electrical equipment. Qualification is therefore essential not only for the installation of charging stations, but also for beneficiaries to benefit from the ADVENIR bonus.
If you would like more information about IRVE training, please contact us!
