7-26-2022 10:46am

Year 3 of Charge Up NJ Unveils New Residential Charger Program

Yesterday marked the launch of year three of the popular Charge Up New Jersey electric vehicle (EV) incentive program.

Governor Murphy announced the launch of year three of the EV program and also unveiled the State’s new Residential EV Charger program.

Both the Charge Up NJ program and the Residential EV Charger program are key parts of the electric vehicle legislation signed by Governor Murphy two years ago. The State has also released the names of the newest grantees and launched the next application window for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) three other EV incentive programs.

Charge Up New Jersey is currently the country’s largest cash-on-the-hood incentive program, with a maximum $4,000 incentive for the purchase or lease of new, zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

Over the last two years of the program, over 13,000 EVs were purchased or leased with this incentive.

The electrification of the state’s transportation sector, which accounts for more than 40 percent of the State’s greenhouse gas emissions, is a key part of the Energy Master Plan, the State’s roadmap to reaching 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

Through the New Jersey Zero-Emission Incentive Program (NJ ZIP) funded by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) proceeds, the State is reducing harmful emissions, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by transportation emissions, and promoting economic opportunity.

“With so much at stake amid the mounting climate crisis, it is imperative that we all do our part not just as New Jerseyans, but as global citizens, to help mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Governor Murphy.

“Our goal is not only to encourage New Jerseyans to drive electric, but to ensure they have enough locations all around the state to charge up, regardless of where they live, work or play,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

“New Jersey DEP has awarded nearly $10 million for 1,970 EV charging stations with 3,229 plugs on our corridors, and in our communities,” Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said.

In the first two years of the Charge Up Program, the State provided incentives for more than 13,000 vehicles. In Year Three the State will provide incentives of up to $4,000 for vehicles with an MSRP under $45,000 and incentives of up to $2,000 for vehicles with an MSRP between $45,000 and $50,000.

As of this announcement, all sales and orders made as of 12:01 am on July 25, 2022, at eligible dealerships and showrooms of eligible EVs may apply at the point of sale for their incentive.

Additionally, the new Residential EV Charger Incentive Program offers a $250 rebate for a home charger. This program can be combined with already existing utility programs, which may cover installation costs.

“Electric vehicles are essential in our transition to a clean economy, which will create local, good-paying jobs while simultaneously combating the growing climate crisis. Electric vehicles are the future, and investments in these vehicles and charging infrastructure will help ensure America leads that future now,” Congressman Frank Pallone said. “Electric vehicles also save Americans tremendous money and are rapidly growing in popularity – by investing in the necessary charging and manufacturing infrastructure, we are making sure that trend can continue and that consumers are able to reliably power their cars across New Jersey and the country.”

Over the last two years, NJBPU has approved EV Charging Incentive Programs for Jersey Central Power and Light, Public Service Electric and Gas, and Atlantic City Electric.

Additionally, in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), NJBPU launched three new programs, which collectively provided over $12 million in incentives for the purchase of more than 900 Level Two chargers and over 60 Fast Chargers across the state.

NJBPU released a list of all FY22 EV grant recipients and will also be opening the FY23 applications for those programs shortly—Clean Fleet, EV Tourism Charger, and the Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD) Charger Program.

The Clean Fleet program provides grants for government entities for the purchase of electric vehicles and chargers. The Program supports local and state governments as they transition their fleets to electric vehicles. Eligible entities include local schools, municipal commissions, state agencies or boards, state commissions, state universities, community colleges, county government, and county authorities.

The MUD EV Charger Incentive Program was designed to encourage owners and operators of multi-unit dwellings to provide EV chargers for residents and guests. Eligible multi-unit dwellings are apartments, condominiums, or mixed residential locations that feature a minimum of five units and have dedicated off-street parking. This program helps to encourage equitable access to the benefits of the EV transition.

The EV Tourism program provides funding for chargers at tourist locations across the state, encouraging residents and out-of-state travelers to choose NJ to charge up and unwind at one of our many destinations, whether a downtown, shore or historic site.

Established in the EV Law, the State will provide at least $30 million in annual incentives for the Charge Up New Jersey program for a period of ten years.

In FY23, the Board has budgeted $35 million for the Charge Up Program, $5.5 million for the residential charger program, $10 million for Clean Fleet, $4 million dedicated to local governments, $6 million for EV Tourism, and $4 million for MUD.

The FY23 Appropriations Act includes additional funds for charging infrastructure and electric vehicles to meet the Electric Vehicle Act’s mandate of a 100 percent State fleet by 2035.

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