Transformative Electric Vehicle Bill Moves to Full Legislature for Action: Senate Committee Endorses Today

Trenton, NJ – Today marks another step on a slow-build to an historic policy shift to tackle the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey – the transportation sector. Building on action this week at the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste and Assembly Appropriations Committees and previously at the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, today the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee vetted and released for floor vote the newest iteration of legislation (S2252/A4819) to incentivize widespread adoption of electric vehicles in New Jersey. This paves the way for consideration by both full legislative chambers on Monday January 13^th.

Diverse stakeholders have engaged in extensive process and negotiations to reach a consensus bill that was moved today, amid great enthusiasm. The approach will be a game-changer enabling the State of New Jersey for the first time to meet its commitments to the Clean Car Act, enacted in 2004 and the Global Warming Response Act, enacted in 2007. With the State of New Jersey being one of the largest transportation corridors in the world, nearly 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in state are caused by transportation sources, which is linked to high and increasing levels of lung disease in children and adults. New Jersey is now positioned to enact of bold policy for the well-being of our State and its residents.

The amended omnibus electric vehicle bill establishes formal state goals, establishes a multiyear rebate program for electric vehicles and provides flexibility to the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) as to the awarding of incentives to build out the essential charging network, critical to addressing consumer anxiety about fueling these cars.

“We are excited for this progress. This bill, in addition to being historic in its commitment to growing the green tech economy, represents full engagement with varied interests over the last several years and a balanced approach to complex considerations of fiduciary responsibility, human health and the well-being of our planet. Today’s action by Assembly committees is a big step forward for NJ,” said Pam Frank, CEO of ChargEVC, a not-for-profit coalition of diverse stakeholders that includes retail automotive dealers, utilities, consumer and equity advocates, environmental and labor organizations and technology companies.

“The EV bill is now going from 0 to 60 to get across the finish line of this legislative session just in time to allow New Jersey to reach its Clean Car mandates to get more electric vehicles on the road,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Electric vehicles remain one of the best ways to clean up our air and fight climate change, but we need to supercharge their adoption. The best way to make EVs common is to build a fast-charging network of EV chargers along our busiest roadways, to provide rebates to purchase more EVs and electrify NJ Transit buses. We urge the Legislature to pass the EV bill in the next week.”

Jim Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR) spoke of the investment that has been made by automotive manufacturers in response to New Jersey’s adoption of the California Clean Car Act in 2004, saying, “Auto manufacturers have invested tens of billions of dollars in battery electric technology. But, in the 15 years since New Jersey signed on to the California Clean Car program, the State has done nothing to eliminate the obstacles to electric vehicle adoption. Frankly, it’s time for the State of New Jersey to put money where its mandates are to help incentivize electric vehicle sales and invest in much needed infrastructure.”

“Investing in new industries like electric vehicles and associated charging infrastructure creates new, family-sustaining jobs in manufacturing and maintenance. S2252/A4819 ensures cleaner air for families and workers by reducing particulate matter emissions that directly impact frontline communities,” said Debra Coyle McFadden, executive director for New Jersey Work Environment Council.

“The statewide infrastructure outlined in this bill will provide good-paying jobs in manufacturing and technology for New Jersey families and clean up our communities at the source of emissions – the tailpipe, said Norah Langweiler, campaign organizer for Jersey Renews. The timeline for NJ Transit to electrify its bus fleet bolsters the commitment to clean air and good jobs and reduces emissions in the most heavily-populated and polluted areas in the state.”

“The EV bill is exactly the type of forward-thinking policy step that is urgently needed to address both the growing risk associated with climate change, and to capitalize on the upside opportunity in building a clean energy economy,” said Richard Lawton, executive director of the NJ Sustainable Business Council. “We are pleased with today’s progress and grateful for the policy leadership that has made it possible. Passing this bill will stimulate an increase in the demand for, and supply of EV’s that will help speed the transition to a more vibrant, sustainable and equitable economy.”

“Today, New Jerseyans can take a breath of fresh air. As the important electric vehicle bill to reduce pollution from the transportation sector begins its way through the Assembly, we want to thank legislative leaders and the administration for making this legislative session the most environmentally productive in over a decade,” said Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

The Senate and Assembly have both scheduled the bills for their final voting sessions of the 2018-19 legislative session on Monday January 13^th.

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