Organizations urge executive action on electric vehicles
More than 55 environmental groups, utilities, technology companies, labor organizations, car dealers, community organizations and towns united under the non-profit ChargEVC last week to request New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy take action to open the market to electric vehicles.
Specifically, they want an executive order issued to create a rebate program for electric vehicles and resolve the two separate electric vehicle filings issued by the Board of Public Utilities. They also desire a $45 million rebate program in 2020, which they believe would double last year’s sales rate. In this way, they believe that a new market would be opened for such vehicles within New Jersey.
“We know that vehicle price and charging infrastructure are the major obstacles to electric vehicle adoption,” James Appleton, president of NJCAR and secretary of ChargEVC, said. “The State of New Jersey must do more to align utility ratemaking policy with its stated goal of placing more electric vehicles on the road. Directing the BPU to establish an electric vehicle rebate program and to start moving on EV filings that include much needed charging infrastructure are essential first steps on the road to a cleaner, greener motor vehicle fleet in New Jersey.”
The advocating groups have pointed to other regional states, such as New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, as examples of those who have successfully set up rebate programs for electric vehicles. So far, Murphy’s budget address has indicated plans to divert half of the state’s $140 million clean energy funds. Separately, the administration has arranged for funds from the Volkswagen settlement to be put to electric vehicle charging stations and the purchase of electric buses for the New Jersey Transit.
