Glossary
IRVE: the certification for EV charging installers in France
Quick definition
IRVE stands for Installateur de Recharge pour Véhicules Électriques: EV charging point installer. It is a mandatory qualification for electricians who carry out home EV charging installations and wish to access the ADVENIR subsidy. Any electrician can technically fit the wiring, but only an IRVE-certified installer can complete the installation certificate required for the subsidy application and for the installation to be considered compliant under French standards.
What IRVE covers
The IRVE qualification is issued by approved certification bodies (principally QUALIFELEC and AFNOR Certification) and covers the technical and regulatory knowledge required to install EV charging infrastructure safely and in compliance with French electrical standards. It applies to:
- Home wallbox installations (Mode 3, Type 2 outlet or tethered)
- Dedicated circuits and earthing requirements for charging equipment
- Smart charging systems and load management
- Installations in collective housing (copropriété) parking areas
- Compliance with the NF C 15-100 standard and specific EV charging annexes
There are two levels: IRVE P1 for individual home installations, and IRVE P2 for larger or more complex installations including collective housing and commercial sites. For a standard home wallbox on the Côte d'Azur, a P1-qualified installer is sufficient.
Why it matters for the ADVENIR subsidy
ADVENIR, the main French subsidy for home EV charging installation, specifically requires that the installation is carried out by an IRVE P1 or P2 certified installer. The certification number appears on the installation certificate the electrician issues after completion, and this certificate is a required document in the subsidy application.
If you use a non-IRVE electrician, the installation will not qualify for the ADVENIR subsidy regardless of the quality of the work. Current subsidy rates are published at advenir.mobi.
How to check a contractor's IRVE status
QUALIFELEC maintains a public register of certified installers at qualifelec.fr. You can search by company name, SIRET number, or postcode. Check that the certification is current (not expired) and that the level (P1 or P2) covers your installation type.
Do not rely on a contractor's word or a certificate on their letterhead. Certifications lapse, and the register is the authoritative source. The search takes two minutes.
IRVE vs RGE: the difference
RGE is the umbrella certification scheme for energy renovation contractors (heat pumps, insulation, solar). IRVE is a separate qualification specific to EV charging and is not part of the RGE framework. A contractor can hold both (for example, an electrician who installs both heat pumps (QualiPAC under RGE) and EV chargers (IRVE)), but the two certifications are independent. For an EV charging installation, you need IRVE. For a heat pump installation, you need the relevant RGE qualification. Neither substitutes for the other.
What happens without IRVE
A standard electrician without IRVE certification can legally carry out wiring work, including running the circuit to a garage. But they cannot issue the installation certificate required for the ADVENIR subsidy, and the installation is not formally compliant with the French charging infrastructure standard. For a home installation where you want to claim the subsidy and have documentation that the work meets current standards, IRVE is a requirement rather than a preference.