BPU to Aid Local Governments in Transition to Clean Energy

'Clean Fleet Electric Vehicle Incentive' Program will support EV Adoption

On Nov 27, 2019

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) proposed a program that will support local governments as they transition to clean energy. The $210,000 “Clean Fleet EV Incentive” program, which is funded primarily through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, will incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles or charging stations by allowing local governments to purchase electric vehicles at the State Purchasing Contract price and simultaneously apply for grant funds. Each applicant can apply for a maximum of two eligible electric vehicles and one dual-port level 2 EV charging station. Municipalities and counties with a high percentage of low to moderate-income (LMI) residents are particularly encouraged to apply.

Gov. Phil Murphy has pledged to achieve 330,000 EVs on the road in New Jersey by 2025, which will reduce emissions from the transportation sector and help reach the goals of the Global Warming Response Act. As the state’s Draft 2019 Energy Master Plan makes clear, the transportation sector accounts for 46% of the state’s net greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest emissions source in the state. Encouraging electric vehicle adoption is crucial to reaching a clean energy future for New Jersey.

“The transportation sector is responsible for 46% of the state’s net greenhouse gas emissions so replacing gas-powered vehicles is a key component to establishing a cleaner and healthier environment,” said BPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “The ‘Clean Fleet EV Incentive’ program will provide incentives to help local governments transition their fleet and move the state toward Governor Murphy’s vision of a clean energy future.”

As part of the incentive, local governments can apply for:

• A $4,000 grant toward the purchase of a battery electric vehicle;  or
• $1,500 toward the purchase of a dual-port level two charging station.

The application deadline for the program is April 15, 2020 or until all of the funding is awarded. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications which meet the following criteria:

• Applicants which would be adding their first electric vehicle to their fleet;
• Applicants which would allow for public utilization of the level two charging station when not in use by the electric fleet vehicle;
• Applicants which indicate that they will post signage for the station and list the charging station on applicable websites;
• Applicants which have more than 15% of the residents within their geographic boundary living below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

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