Electrification

  EC&M Magazine recently published an article about the top 25 changes to the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC). Here are their top seven lighting and EV charger changes to the 2026 NEC.   NEW Section 120.82(B) General Lighting Demand, First 8kVA Analysis of the change: The demand load for optional dwelling unit load calculations [...]

The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) will significantly impact the landscape for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown of the key impacts: Reduced Incentives: The OBBB eliminates the federal tax credit for new EVs ($7,500) and used EVs ($4,000), potentially making EVs less affordable for consumers and impacting adoption rates. Federal [...]

Last week, Espen Technology introduced an entirely new product category at its LightFair booth: Battery Energy Storage Systems aka BESS. I’ve written many articles in LightNOW about how numerous manufacturers in the lighting industry are managing the effects of a contracting LED lighting market by diversifying into non-lighting product categories, especially electrification products. The most [...]

  Briteswitch recently covered key trends in electric vehicle (EV) charger rebate programs for 2025, emphasizing their growing importance in supporting EV infrastructure amidst a volatile market caused by federal policy changes and consumer uncertainty. Expanded Coverage of Rebate Programs  Rebate program coverage has grown significantly, now encompassing 78% of the U.S., compared to 60% [...]

  Many lighting manufacturers now produce/sell EV chargers, so the EV market now impacts the lighting industry. Global EV sales are expected to continue their strong growth trajectory in 2025. According to Rho Motion, a leading EV research firm, over 20 million electric vehicles are projected to be sold globally in 2025, representing an 18% [...]

  NEMA has introduced two new standards. One aimed at evaluating Build American Buy America (BABA) compliance, and the other to define how electric vehicles transfer power back to the grid through EV chargers. These standards impact the lighting and EV charger industries by addressing supply chain evaluation, and electric vehicle supply equipment. Make it [...]

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) announced funding of 20 projects across Canada that will combined install over 3,000 EV chargers. The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program provides funding to support the installation of EV chargers in multi-unit residential buildings, at workplaces, on-street and along highways, at public places and where EV fleets are serviced. The Government of Canada [...]

  Most of the world’s electricity is still generated using fossil fuels, however, the new capacity being built globally was generated by more than 85% renewable sources. The data is from the International Renewable Energy Agency. 473 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity was installed in 2023, primarily solar and wind power. In 2022, it was 308 [...]

A new law in Florida now prevents local governments from enacting or enforcing any ordinance or regulation involving EV charging stations. Senate Bill 1084 became effective July 1, 2024. Now, the authority to regulate EV chargers is exclusively held by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Orlando had an existing ordinance requiring [...]