NJ’s transition to electric vehicles will improve health, bring prosperity, and help ensure energy security

HOST FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCE: Dominic Frongillo, Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) Executive Director and Co-Founder

SPEAKERS:

State Senator Bob Smith, District 17
Assemblymember Carol Murphy, Majority Whip, District 7
Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, EOPA New Jersey Leadership Council
Atlantic City Council Member Kaleem Shabazz, EOPA New Jersey Leadership Council
Pam Frank, CEO of ChargEVC New Jersey
Kate Kruk, former Vice President School Board member, Schalmont Central School District, Livingston Energy Group, a Lynkwell company
WHEN: June 3, 2024, at 12 noon.

WHERE: In front of the State House Annex, Trenton

Link: EOPA Zoom Live https://protectingamerica-net.zoom.us/j/83500972717

After the press conference, from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, there will be EV demonstrations where lawmakers can test drive an EV. The press is welcome to take part. There will be lots of photo opportunities.

BACKGROUND: While EVs sales continue to increase in New Jersey, there remain myth barriers that surround EVs. Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) will dispel the false information during their United for Health, Prosperity and Energy Security Electric Vehicle Tour when it stops at the State House. After the press conference there will be EV demonstrations on this educational tour.

New Jersey set ambitious climate goals with the Global Warming Response Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below 2006 levels by 2050, and Governor Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050. The Energy Master Plan comprehensively addresses New Jersey’s energy system, including electricity generation, transportation, and buildings, and their associated greenhouse gas emissions and related air pollutants.

“The Environmental Protection Agency’s strong standards reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically and put us on the road to universal adoption of EVs. A new era of clean energy electricity is dawning. As we transition to EVs with offshore wind and other clean energy sources powering them, consumers won’t be subjected to fluctuating gas prices,” said Dominic Frongillo, Elected Officials to Protect America Executive Director and Co-Founder, former Council Member and Deputy Supervisor of Caroline, New York. “With federal and state incentives, EVs are affordable. Consumers can currently choose from up to 21 EV models available for less than $35,000. EVs help drive New Jersey’s transition to clean transportation forward for our climate, healthy communities and energy security for generations to come. Electrification is the future we must embrace.”

According to Statista, there are about 2.5 million registered cars on the roads in New Jersey. This fact makes the EPA’s new vehicle emissions standards critical as a bridge on the road to a zero emissions future. Tailpipe pollution contains toxic and harmful compounds that pollute air quality and harm public health.

“On a daily basis the invisible toxic particulates invade the lungs of unsuspecting people just by breathing air. Tragically, environmental justice communities suffer disproportionately the most from these pollutants that can lead to lung and cardiovascular disease, and death,” said State Senator Bob Smith, District 17. “EVs help by cleaning the air. They have zero emissions. Public health will improve, and more jobs in renewable energy like offshore wind and solar will be available as we continue on the highway to power the state with 100 percent clean energy.”

The fossil fuel industry has neglected public health across the state, and held back clean energy production for too long. The state, nation and world will be positively impacted by the transition to EVs.

“The severe effects of the climate crisis only exacerbate public health problems caused by toxic fossil fuel air pollution, especially in environmental justice communities that are next to highways or near manufacturing and/or shipping facilities,” said Kaleem Shabazz, Atlantic City Council Member, EOPA New Jersey Leadership Council member. “Electrification is our opportunity to reverse this course, and help ensure our energy security as we address the climate emergency. EVs powered by never ending offshore wind and other renewable energy sources will move us in the right direction on the road to a clean energy economy where environmental justice can be realized.”

Governor Murphy set an ambitious goal of registering 330,000 EVs by 2025. As of December 2023, there were 87,000 electric vehicles, and 142,600 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles registered in New Jersey. In 2012, there were only 338 electric vehicles registered in the state. Additionally, New Jersey is one of 17 states that have California’s strict tailpipe emission standards, and plans to eliminate the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

“With our zero-vehicle emissions policy, New Jersey will see $43.6 billion in public health savings, save 3,960 souls from a premature death, and stop 92,400 asthma attacks by 2050, according to an American Lung Association report. Now we need to build public awareness of how EVs are reliable, affordable, and will help save lives while countering the effects of climate change,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, Trenton, EOPA New Jersey Leadership Council. “As we electrify the transportation sector and our buildings, we will need more electricity generated by renewables, especially from offshore wind turbines, which is critical to our success.”

Strong ocean winds are reliable around the clock, making this resource available all the times.

“For a cleaner future for all New Jerseyans and Americans, we must take strong moves towards the technology of tomorrow. Electric vehicles are the future, and we must build adequate infrastructure to support this new reality. For a reliable source of power for these EVs and the rest of our infrastructure, we need offshore wind energy. I’m proud to be part of a bipartisan group of elected officials and civic leaders fighting the climate crisis and driving an agenda to support a growing clean energy economy,” said Assemblymember Carol Murphy. “As a New Jersey lawmaker, I know firsthand that we have a critical once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region to propel forward by becoming a national leader in offshore wind development. Initiatives like these create countless employment opportunities, including thousands of good-paying union jobs. Let’s get to work and save our planet.”

President Biden successfully passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Inflation Reduction Act EV incentives are up to $7,500, and Charge Up New Jersey promotes clean vehicle adoption by offering incentives of up to $4,000 for the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric. These actions put New Jersey and the US on the path to a 100 percent clean energy economy that will improve public health and energy security.

But the continuation of the Charge Up is in question yet the program clearly encourages EV purchases. The IRA incentives with Charge Up have increased sales.

“To drive an EV is more than practical — it’s economic wisdom. EV adoption translates into financial savings for drivers and electricity customers coupled with substantial environmental and public health benefits,” said Pam Frank, CEO of ChargEVC New Jersey. “EVs are also 40 percent cheaper to maintain than an internal combustion engine vehicle, according to the Department of Energy. With state and federal tax incentives they’re more affordable than ever before.”

In 2023, a record 1.2 million EVs were bought in the United States, with sales consistently greater each month than in the prior two years. EV interest will continue to grow as consumers gain more familiarity with them, and fast-charging public infrastructure is built out. Currently, there are 130,000 EV charging stations across the country, and The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funds for 500,000 more to be installed. There are also incentives in the IRA for home plug in ports. Additionally, companies are providing innovative solutions so that every EV owner can feel safe knowing their EV will find a charging source.

Previously the tour stopped in New York. After New Jersey the tour continues on to Pennsylvania and Georgia.

The tour is led by Elected Officials to Protect America. EOPA partners for the tour include Climate Action Campaign, National Electric Vehicle Association, Alliance for Clean Energy New York, Charge EVC, Lightning Clubs of America. The Tour is made possible by Environmental Defense Fund, PSG&E, Zeem, and Lynkwell.

Elected Officials to Protect America is a network of current and former elected officials who care deeply about protecting the planet and people. EOPA is committed to solving the climate crisis, ensuring environmental justice, and protecting our lands, waters, and democracy. EOPA educates through value-based storytelling, trains lawmakers, and connects elected officials to inspire strong environmental leadership.