PSE&G gets approval to develop EV charging infrastructure in New Jersey

The Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) got the go-ahead from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure in New Jersey.

With this approval, PSE&G, the state’s largest utility, plans to invest $166 million over the next six years to build out the state’s EV charging infrastructure. The investments are designed to increase the availability of vehicle charging as many drivers cite the lack of convenient charging options as the top reason they are reluctant to switch to electric vehicles.

Vehicles are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The New Jersey Energy Master Plan prioritizes electrifying the transportation sector as a key strategy to improve the state’s air quality and reduce health care costs.

“EV adoption is critical to meeting New Jersey’s clean energy goals,” Karen Reif, vice president of PSE&G’s Renewables and Energy Solutions group, said. “The scarcity of public and private charging infrastructure discourages more people from driving electric vehicles. PSE&G’s program will address those concerns and is designed to encourage people to make the switch to clean-running EVs and to help New Jersey enjoy the environmental and health benefits that will result from electrifying the transportation sector.”

PSE&G’s EV investment program includes having EV chargers at multifamily buildings, government facilities, and at public parking lots, as well as fast charging infrastructure along high-traffic corridors such as the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

“Electrifying transportation is an important component of PSEG’s Powering Progress vision for a future in which we help our customers use less energy, ensure that the energy they use is cleaner and that energy is delivered more reliably than ever,” Reif said.

The utility will not own EV chargers but will support the infrastructure needed to place chargers throughout its service territory. The initiative is expected to create about 270 clean energy jobs in the state.

PSE&G — a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group — won the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2020, PSE&G was named the most trusted combined gas & electric utility in the East Region by the Cogent Syndicated Brand Trust Index. PSE&G serves about 75 percent of New Jersey residents.