Joint Committee Hearing on EV’s and Initiatives for NJ

The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee and the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee will meet jointly to receive testimony from invited guests concerning electric vehicles.  The committees will also receive testimony from the public on Assembly Bill No. 4634, which would establish goals, initiatives, and programs to encourage and support the use of plug-in electric vehicles. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following the statement:

 “The biggest area of air pollution and GHGs in New Jersey is coming from mobile sources like automobiles. They are responsible for over 45% of our greenhouse gasses in New Jersey come vehicles and our state suffers from failing air levels. We have parts in New Jersey where people are choking on exhaust. This legislation is critical because it will help our put a charge in electric vehicles and reduce air pollution and fossil fuels. Electric vehicles are the technology of the future and show we can move this country forward with an automobile that has zero emissions.  This bill is the most important step for New Jersey to implement the California Car Law and reach 330,000 EV’s by 2025. We can see the benefits of clean air and clean jobs if the BPU builds a state-wide network of technology charging stations, create green jobs, save people money on gas, and reduce air pollution.

“We need to jumpstart electric by implementing a successful electric vehicle system in New Jersey will mean less money sent out of state for petroleum, more in-state jobs, less carbon pollution, and cleaner, healthier air. New Jersey’s biggest source of air pollution is from cars and trucks, but our state has been gridlocked when it comes to moving forward with electric vehicles. EV’s are much cheaper to operate than gas vehicles and reduce air pollution from traffic and emissions from refineries and drilling oil.  With ZEVs we can create thousands of jobs, provide infrastructure around the states for EVs, and allow us to become to leaders in EV technology. We must remove the roadblocks and move forward on EV technology for New Jersey.

“The bill should also include language instructing the BPU to create educational programs for the public about EV. We need to educate people on not only the importance of EV’s but their cost-effectiveness. It is 70% cheaper to operate an EV than a car using gas. EV’s maintenance costs are much lower compared to gas engine cars because they don’t require parts like mufflers. We want people to feel confident that they can purchase and EV, save money, and travel through New Jersey with it. People like EV technology that is becoming cheaper and greener however; there is ‘range anxiety.’ This is why we need a network of charging stations statewide to make people more comfortable with buying and using these electric vehicles. The bill would require installing hundreds of fast chargers as well as public community chargers in over 300 locations across the state in the next two years. There are currently more than 20 fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles available at US dealerships with dozens more coming online, however New Jersey only has 14,000 EVs on the road.

“We need to make sure that charging networks and incentives are targeted to communities that have received a disproportionate share of pollution, especially Environmental Justice and communities of modest means. It is also important to provide job training on electric vehicles and installing charging stations in these communities. We should also be giving incentives or priority to charging stations that use energy that are tied to solar projects.

“Utilities have role to play in moving us forward in electrification. Besides putting charging stations in areas that the market won’t reach, utilities should play a role in the infrastructure of charging station. They need to upgrade the grid and help power charging networks more imp role with infrastructure with upgrading grid and help power charging networks. Due to the unfair advantage of ratepayer money, we need to do the most good in low and modest communities like Bellville and Elizabeth. Utilities need to upgrade grid to provide power.

“Vehicle ownership, even used vehicles, may not be possible or desirable for some households. Low and moderate-income households don’t always have the federal tax liability to make the $7500 tax credit valuable to them. This is why EV carsharing could be considered an option for some of these communities. The BPU must implement programs to install plug-in stations along with providing things like ride share programs like zip cars, lyft, ubers, and taxis to encourage EV’s that everyone can afford.

“The Department of Community Affairs can also ensure all new construction includes charging stations in our building codes as well as in renovations. This includes requirements that all new multi-family construction and renovation include EVSE. Building codes should require new buildings to be EV-ready and state and municipal fleets should be electrified, especially buses. We can have the Economic Development Authority require any project with state funding to have charging stations. Residents should have RIGHT-To-CHARGE where people can petition their landlord or condo association for private charging station or pay for a public charging station. Private charging stations, such as the one in the Statehouse in Trenton, should be open to the public. Charging stations should also be able to charge electric bikes.

“We should also be working on implementing clean transportation programs targeted to school children. School buses are particularly bad as children are especially susceptible to diesel tailpipe emissions, and buses in poorer areas tend to be older and more polluting. With electric busses, our school children can ride in cleaner, quieter, and healthier vehicles powered by electricity. This is especially important for children who live in urban areas already overburdened by air pollution. Busses will benefit all mass transit riders, as well as anyone living in the city where they run without released air toxins.

“We would support taking small amount from Clean Energy Funds but we should we looking at other opportunities. We can also consider taxing luxury, gas-guzzling vehicles or creating a carbon tax on fuels to pay for rebates. There should be opportunities for people to buy EVs of all communities, including those of modest means through rebates or ‘cash for clunkers’ programs. These offers should extend to those households below a certain income cap. Rebate programs should be designed to ensure that the rebates are driving EV purchases that would not have happened otherwise. This will help create jobs and move our state forward with an automobile that has zero emissions and decrease fossil fuels. We don’t need to be giving rebates in Rumson or Short Hills, instead they should target

“We should also have language supporting the electrification of our ports, especially in urban areas, with electric busses to reduce air pollution in areas already highly affected. Ports, warehousing facilities, transit hubs tend to be located in or near environmental justice communities and are large contributors to particulates and smog pollution. We can use electric vehicles for commuter and school transportation in and around the ports including moving goods and containers. New Jersey can start using electric and hybrid garbage trucks too. BPU can also incentivize both renewable energy and EV’s by installing solar panels on parking decks. We can use cars and buses as battery storage and charge cars at night to avoid putting pressure on the grid.

“To reach the important goal of 330,000 EVs on the road by 2025, we must accelerate now and make it possible for everyone to buy an EV and for everyone to be able to use them across the state. We also need a program for EVs similar to RGGI that would encourage states to pass legislation and fund programs that advance EVs.  We need to use legislation to advance EVs and especially EV infrastructure in our state. The bill should also include language instructing the BPU to create educational programs for the public about EV technology.

“Our state used to be a leader in innovation and transportation and can be again in clean transport. For starters, the BPU needs to go out and educate the public about EV technology. We can see the benefits of clean air and clean jobs if the BPU builds a state-wide network of charging stations, create green jobs, save people money on gas, and reduce air pollution. Half of New Jersey’s greenhouse gases come from mobile sources, but these emissions can be easily cut by implementing EV technology. It’s critical that the BPU accelerates these programs now if we want to reach Governor Murphy’s clean energy goals by 2050.”