For Immediate Release:	Contact: Peter Peretzman
Date: 08/18/2021	609-900-5626

Trenton, NJ – August 18, 2021—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today approved the expansion of its Clean Fleet Electric Vehicle Incentive Program, a $7 million program offering grants for public entities to purchase electric vehicles (EVs) and related charging infrastructure. The modifications approved today include an increase in award caps and are aimed at boosting the program’s reach and effectiveness as the State endeavors to reach Governor Phil Murphy’s goal of transitioning at least 25 percent of State-owned, non-emergency light duty vehicles to plug-in EVs by December 31, 2025.

 

“Transportation is responsible for 46% of New Jersey’s net greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to the damaging effects of climate change and poor air quality in our communities,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, NJBPU President. “Electrifying our transportation sector is critical to achieving Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, and requires a collective effort at the state and local level. By expanding the Clean Fleet Electric Vehicle Incentive Program we are providing more opportunities for local and state government entities to upgrade their fleets and infrastructure while participating in the clean energy revolution.”

 

The Program, initially introduced in 2019 as a $210,000 pilot program funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, allows local and state government entities to apply for up to two $4,000 grants toward the purchase of battery electric vehicles and one $1,500 grant toward the purchase of a Level-Two EV charging station. In June 2021, New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program™ (NJCEP) allocated a total of $7 million for Fiscal Year 2022, dedicating $6 million for use by state entities and $1 million for local governments.

 

Eligible entities include local schools, municipal commissions, state agencies or boards, state commissions, state universities, community colleges, and county authorities in addition to municipalities, municipal utility authorities, and state agencies.

 

The approved modifications for the Fiscal Year 2022 program are effective on August 28, 2021 and include:

 

Increased Vehicle Caps

 

• Local governments, local entities, and local schools serving a population over 20,000: the vehicle cap will increase from two vehicles to five vehicles;

 

• Local governments, local entities, and local schools serving a population over 50,000: the vehicle cap will increase from two vehicles to seven vehicles; and

 

• State government, state agencies, boards, and commissions, state universities, and counties, as well as local governments serving a population over 100,000: the vehicle cap will increase from two vehicles to ten vehicles.

 

Increased Charging Station Caps

 

• Local governments, local entities, and local schools serving a population over 20,000: the charging station cap will increase from one Level-Two EV charging station to two; and

 

• State government, state agencies, boards, and commissions, state universities, and counties, as well as local governments serving a population over 50,000: the charging station cap will increase from one Level-Two EV charging station to four.

 

The Electric Vehicle Act of 2020 mandates that 25 percent of State-owned non-emergency light duty vehicles shall be electric by 2025, moving to 100 percent by December 31, 2035. In addition to lower emissions, EVs offer significant cost savings over traditional gas-powered vehicles since they are cheaper to fuel and require less maintenance as a result of fewer moving parts. Governor Murphy has set a goal of registering 330,000 EVs in the state by 2025 as part of New Jersey’s transition to 100 percent clean energy.

 

For more information about the Clean Fleet Program and how to apply, visit www.njcleanenergy.com/EV.

 

Media Contact: Peter Peretzman (609) 900-5626 and peter.peretzman@bpu.nj.gov

 

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)

NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.

 

About New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)

NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State's residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers' energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is www.NJCleanEnergy.com.