New Jersey Legislature Sends Transformative Electric Vehicle Bill to Governor Murphy:

Major Investors and Companies Applaud and Urge Swift Enactment

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey companies and business organizations applaud the passage of the EV bill, citing its importance in addressing the growing risks associated with climate change, and in acting as a catalyst for transitioning to a decarbonized transportation system. At the final voting sessions of the 2018-19 legislative calendar, the Senate and Assembly have both passed the EV legislation (S2252/A4819) with strong bipartisan support and sent the bill to Governor Murphy’s desk.

“Companies in New Jersey have been clear in their support for S2252 because they know the future of transportation is electric,” said Alli Gold Roberts, director of state policy at Ceres. “Businesses are already investing in EVs as a way to save money on fuel and maintenance costs and meet sustainability goals. With this bill, New Jersey is poised to build off these corporate commitments and accelerate the transition to EVs in a way that benefits both businesses and residents.” In fact, a Ceres report found that the benefits of increased investment in EV charging infrastructure outweigh the costs by more than three to one.

“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. “Today’s legislative endorsement is a major milestone, and we are grateful for the policy leadership that made it possible. Enacting 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.”

“As the most densely populated state in the country, New Jersey is ideally positioned to lead the way toward a clean transportation system that will boost local economies and equitable jobs growth, while making the state an even better place in which to work, live, and recreate,” said Dominique Lueckenhoff, Senior Vice-President Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, HUGO NEU Group. “Since such a large scale transition will require both market-driven innovation combined with forward-thinking policy change, this bill is a much-needed step that will attract the investment needed to help make New Jersey an economic hub for EV and clean and green energy innovation.”

“Congratulations to the NJ legislature for passing this important bill that puts New Jersey at the vanguard of the EV transition,” said Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President & CEO of ECOS. “While our company is carbon neutral as part of our commitment to sustainability over the past 50+ years, forward-thinking policies like the EV bill are also critical in making our communities healthier and our economy more sustainable overall.”

Ken Esser, Chief of Staff and Vice-President, Hackensack Meridian Health said, “A cleaner transportation future, such as electrification of the transportation sector, is not only critical to the long-term health of the planet but will also directly benefit the local air quality in many of our communities.  The sooner we can transition to electric vehicles, the sooner we can improve air quality thereby reducing asthmas rates, and really begin to build a sustainable future.”

“The passage of this bill puts New Jersey at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution,” said Trina Mallik, Climate Change and Clean Energy Policy Manager, The Nature Conservancy.  “With the transportation sector accounting for the single largest source of polluting greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey, a rapid increase in the ratio of electric vehicles on our roadways is imperative. The bill will smooth this transition while ensuring an appropriate number of charging stations for driver convenience, accelerating the realization of clean air and a clean energy future for New Jersey.”

In a letter delivered to legislative leaders and members of the Murphy administration, more than a dozen investors and companies with significant operations or investments in New Jersey including BMW, DSM, Friends Fiduciary Corp., Hackensack Meridian, IKEA USA, LG, Schneider Electric and Siemens called for action on proposed legislation in order to send a clear economic signal that the Garden State is ready to lead on the deployment of EVs and the related infrastructure. They wrote, “Businesses are increasingly investing in EVs as a way to reduce exposure to the volatility of fossil fuel prices and help meet their emissions reduction goals, . . . [and] would also prevent the loss of tens of millions of dollars sent out of the local economy each year to import transportation fuels. Instead, that money could be reinvested in local communities and clean-energy jobs that benefit New Jersey.”

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 normalizing the fueling of these cars.

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