From Pioneers to Pros: 14 Years of NCC in Action

A Conversation with National Car Charging Founder Jim Burness.

National Car Charging (NCC) just turned 14 — a milestone that’s impressive in any field, but downright remarkable in the fast-evolving world of electric vehicle infrastructure. In an industry where new players seem to pop up overnight, NCC’s longevity speaks to something deeper: experience, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to finding the right solution for every customer.

We sat down with Jim Burness, NCC’s founder and CEO, to talk about what this anniversary means, what he’s learned along the way, and what’s next for one of the nation’s most trusted EV charging providers.

Q: Fourteen years in business is no small feat, especially in such a fast-changing industry. What does that milestone mean to you?

Jim: It means a lot — both personally and professionally. When we started in 2011, the EV market was still in its infancy. There were maybe a few thousand plug-in cars on the road, and people thought we were a little crazy to build a company around charging infrastructure - my wife included!

Fourteen years later, we’ve helped install more than 13,000 charging ports across 48 states, worked with over 1,300 clients, and partnered with some of the biggest names in energy, education, and transportation.

But what I’m most proud of is that we’ve stayed true to our core values — honesty, quality, and building relationships that last. Every charger we install helps reduce emissions and improve air quality — especially for kids and families living near busy roads and highways. Cleaner transportation isn’t just good business; it’s good for people. And that’s what keeps us motivated every day.

Q: The EV charging space has exploded with new companies. How does experience shape NCC’s approach today?

Jim: Experience gives us perspective. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. We’ve weathered technology shifts, supply chain challenges, and evolving standards — and each time, we’ve come out stronger.

Because of that, we don’t chase fads — we focus on reliability and long-term value. In a young industry, experience matters. It’s what allows us to guide customers toward solutions that stand the test of time — not just the next funding cycle.

Q: You’ve said before that “finding the right solution” is what matters most to NCC. What does that look like in practice?

Jim: It’s simple — we’re brand-agnostic and focus on our customers’ specific needs. We don’t push one product or manufacturer. We look at what’s best for the client — their site, their budget, their users, and their long-term goals.

Sometimes that’s a Level 2 setup for a workplace or fleet depot. Other times it’s a DC fast charging network across multiple sites. Our team brings deep technical expertise and partnerships with top-tier manufacturers like ChargePoint, Kempower, Tritium, Fractal, and G9EV — but we always start with the customer’s needs, not our catalog.

In a young industry where everyone’s racing to grow, we believe trust and performance are what truly last.

Q: Do you see the EV charging industry slowing down?

Jim: Not at all — it’s evolving. We’re past the “gold rush” phase where everyone was just trying to stake their claim. Now we’re in the stage where quality, reliability, and experience matter more than ever.

There may be a cooling period as incentives shift and weaker players fall away or consolidate, but that’s actually healthy and expected. The industry’s still in its “teen years”, but it is maturing. What we’re seeing now is a shift from fast growth to smart growth — and that’s exactly where NCC has always operated.

We’ve built our business on doing things the right way, not the fastest way. The demand for dependable, scalable charging isn’t going anywhere — it’s just getting more strategic.

Q: Some people still ask — are EVs just a fad?

Jim: Not even close. Fads come and go — this is a global transformation.

If you look around the world, the shift is undeniable. In China, roughly one in every two new cars sold is a plug-in, and Europe is already above 25% EV market share, with countries like Norway and the Netherlands reaching 80–90%. The U.S. is behind that curve, but we’re catching up — fast.

Every major automaker now has an electrification roadmap, and utilities are leveraging EV charging to modernize and strengthen the grid. Through smart charging, load management, and emerging vehicle-to-grid technologies, EVs are helping balance demand, integrate renewables, and make the grid cleaner and more resilient.

So no — EVs aren’t a fad. They’re part of a long-term evolution toward cleaner transportation and smarter energy systems. The question isn’t if we’ll get there — it’s how fast.

Q: If you could give three pieces of advice to those new to EV charging, what would they be?

Jim: First — start with good planning. Take the time to understand your site, your power capacity, and your long-term goals before buying a single charger. This isn’t a “plug it in and go” industry — what you do upfront determines how smoothly things run later.

Second — work with experienced partners. There are a lot of new names in this space, and not all of them will be around in five years. Choose partners with a proven track record — people who know the equipment, understand incentives, and stand behind their work. The last thing you want is a shiny new charger that fails in a year or ends up in a landfill.

Third — think about the future, not just today. The technology, standards, and funding models are evolving fast. Design your system to scale — with flexibility in power, software, and connectivity — so you’re ready for what’s next, not just what’s now.

If you do those three things — plan smart, partner well, and build for the long haul — you’ll be in great shape.

Q: What do you think is the biggest myth about EVs?

Jim: That they’re just for the wealthy or the early adopters — that you have to be a tech enthusiast to drive one. That’s simply not true anymore.

EVs are becoming more affordable every year, and we’re already seeing price parity in several models. But the real story isn’t just the sticker price — it’s the total cost of ownership. When you factor in lower fueling costs, minimal maintenance, and fewer moving parts, EVs are cheaper to run and easier to own.

And beyond the numbers, it’s about impact. Every mile driven electric means less pollution, cleaner air, and a healthier future for our kids. This isn’t just a technology shift — it’s a values shift. Driving electric isn’t a fad; it’s a commitment to a smarter, cleaner future.

Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about NCC’s future?

Jim: Honestly, the people. Our team is full of passionate professionals who believe in what we’re building — not just chargers, but cleaner communities, stronger grids, and a more sustainable future.

We’ve built a solid foundation — state contracts, cooperative agreements, and a reputation for doing the job right — and now we’re using that foundation to scale even smarter.

At the end of the day, 14 years in, it’s still about one thing: helping our customers power progress, one project at a time.

Want to learn more about NCC’s 14-year journey — or how we can help you build your EV charging strategy? Visit nationalcarcharging.com.

About Jim Burness. Jim Burness founded National Car Charging (NCC) in 2011 with the belief that business can thrive while doing good for the planet. Eleven years later, NCC and its sister company, Aloha Charge, are collectively the leading reseller and installer of electric vehicle infrastructure in the country and Jim is considered one of the nation’s top EV and charging experts. Based in Denver, Colorado, Jim is actively involved in Colorado’s local sustainability community with Colorado Electric Vehicle Coalition, Colorado’s Solar Energy Industries Association and Clean Energy Action and lends his expertise to the EV Council as part of the NACS Fuels Institute. A graduate of The Colorado College and the University of Denver, he’s previously held positions at J.D. Power, American Honda, and Microsoft’s CarPoint.

About National Car Charging. National Car Charging makes the transition to electric vehicles as easy as possible by offering the most reliable EV charging products and services at reasonable prices. Born in Colorado in 2011, today NCC is the largest independent EV charging reseller nationwide managing 13,000+ ports across 48 states, 1300 clients and dozens of business channels.