New York City is stepping into a new era of electrification. Electric vehicles are steadily becoming part of everyday life, and the infrastructure needed to support them is expanding at a rapid pace. However, beneath this transition to cleaner mobility lies a significant technical hurdle: much of the city’s electrical framework was constructed decades ago—long before EV charging was even a concept.
For Richard Sajiun, CEO and Master Electrician of Sajiun Electric Inc., this challenge is anything but unexpected. With nearly 30 years of experience leading federal electrical projects and a family legacy spanning 60 years in New York’s electrical sector, he has built a career around upgrading aging systems in critical environments such as hospitals, public housing, and government buildings. According to him, the rise of EV infrastructure is simply the next phase in an ongoing evolution.
From family roots to critical infrastructure
Sajiun Electric Inc. traces its origins back to 1965, when Richard’s father launched a small electrical business in the Bronx. Initially focused on residential and light commercial work, the company steadily built a reputation for reliability across the city.
When Richard assumed leadership in 1995, he strategically pivoted the business toward federal and public-sector contracting. This transition required years of preparation, securing specialized certifications, strengthening compliance protocols, and assembling teams equipped to handle complex government projects.
Today, the company operates as a federal electrical contractor with a Master Electrician’s license, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, and a consistent record of completing government contracts without default. Its work spans critical sectors where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, including healthcare facilities, institutional buildings, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Turning infrastructure challenges into strategic opportunities
The growing demand for EV charging is placing unprecedented pressure on New York City’s electrical systems. Policies like Local Law 55, enacted in April 2024, mandate that parking facilities with ten or more spaces gradually incorporate EV charging capabilities. By January 1, 2035, at least 20% of spaces must feature Level 2 chargers, with 40% required to be charger-ready.
The magnitude of this shift is substantial. Out of more than 1,600 licensed parking facilities in the city, only around 324 currently support EV charging. This leaves approximately 1,276 garages in need of electrical upgrades over the coming decade.
Sajiun emphasizes that the real challenge isn’t installing chargers, it’s understanding the infrastructure behind them. “You can’t simply add new demand onto an outdated system without fully understanding how it operates,” he explains.
Many of these older buildings were never designed to handle the electrical loads required by EV charging. Retrofitting them often involves detailed load analysis, panel upgrades, and coordination with utilities like Con Edison to ensure adequate service capacity. Without proper planning, the risk of overloading systems becomes a serious concern.
Navigating complexity in high-stakes environments
Modernizing electrical systems at scale demands precision, coordination, and discipline, especially when multiple agencies are involved. For contractors unfamiliar with large-scale retrofits, the process can quickly become complex and overwhelming.
Sajiun’s decades of experience in critical environments provide a strong foundation. Hospitals, for instance, require advanced load balancing and redundancy systems to ensure uninterrupted operation of life-support equipment. Similarly, public housing often involves upgrading decades-old electrical systems to meet modern demands.
These same principles now apply to EV infrastructure. “Every building tells a different electrical story,” he notes. “Before installing even one charger, you must understand the system’s capacity, service connections, and how additional demand will impact the entire network.”
Financial backing is also accelerating this transition. Con Edison’s PowerReady program alone represents roughly $700 million in infrastructure investment, while New York State’s Make-Ready initiative adds another $1.24 billion to expand EV charging capabilities. Federal funding further strengthens these efforts.
At the same time, regulatory frameworks continue to evolve. New policies such as NYS S1736E will require EV-ready parking in all new commercial developments with ten or more spaces starting April 2025.
A blueprint for contractors in a growing market
For electrical contractors, the EV boom presents both a major opportunity and a significant responsibility. Sajiun believes success lies in applying the same disciplined methodologies used in complex government projects.
Thorough planning, strict adherence to electrical codes, and meticulous documentation are essential. Contractors must evaluate load requirements, assess service capacity, ensure safety compliance, and coordinate closely with utilities before beginning installation.
“It’s not just about installing equipment,” he says. “It’s about ensuring the infrastructure supporting that equipment is safe, reliable, and built to last.”
As EV adoption continues to rise, dependable electrical systems will play a critical role in keeping urban environments functional and efficient.
A legacy built on reliability and adaptation
Decades of experience retrofitting aging systems have positioned Sajiun Electric Inc. at the forefront of infrastructure modernization. Whether upgrading hospital power systems or preparing buildings for new energy demands, the underlying challenge remains consistent: adapting legacy infrastructure to meet contemporary needs.
For Richard Sajiun, the EV transition reinforces the importance of thoughtful engineering and long-term planning. “Infrastructure doesn’t transform overnight,” he explains. “It evolves through careful upgrades and responsible execution.”
Quietly enabling a city in motion
As New York City moves toward a more electrified future, the success of this transition will depend largely on the unseen work happening behind the scenes.
While EV chargers may serve as the visible markers of progress, the real transformation lies within the electrical systems that sustain them.
Through decades of expertise in modernizing complex infrastructure, Richard Sajiun continues to champion an approach rooted in technical excellence, strategic planning, and respect for the systems that power the city. In a place defined by constant movement, reliable electrical infrastructure remains the silent force driving progress forward.
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